Impact on agriculture as drought lingers: ABS
Australian crop production increased in 2007-08 in comparison to the previous year, but generally
remains at among the lowest levels in five years, according to figures released today by the
Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Lack of water was a major contributor to this, with falls in cotton production and a near complete
suspension of rice production. Drought conditions and industry adjustments have also lead to a
decline in livestock, with sheep and lambs at yet another historic low.
Broadacre crops:
Wheat up 25% to 13.6 million tonnes. Victoria reported the largest increase, up by 127% to
almost 2 million tonnes.
Barley up 68% to 7.2 million tonnes, with all states reporting increases.
Oat production doubled from last year's figure to 1.5 million tonnes, with most states reporting
significant increases.
Improved summer conditions saw a dramatic increase in sorghum production, which reached
record levels of 3.8 million tonnes.
Cotton dropped 58% to 119,000 tonnes, with growers reporting drought, low water allocations
and low cotton prices for reduced plantings.
Rice dropped 89% to 17,600 tonnes on the back of significantly reduced plantings. Lack of
water was the major reason behind the dramatic reduction in area planted and production.
Livestock:
Sheep and lamb numbers fell to 76.9 million - the lowest level recorded since 1920.
Meat cattle numbers fell slightly, with falls in southern states partly offset by increases in
Queensland and the Northern Territory.
Milk cattle numbers fell by 4.7% to 2.5 million, with falls recorded in all states.
Pig numbers fell to 2.4 million, their lowest level since 1982, reflecting continued pressure on
the industry from production costs and imports.
Horticulture:
Although the area of many major vegetable commodities were down, some improvements in
growing conditions led to increased production for crops including: onions (area down 7% but
production up 3%), processing peas (area down 27% but production up 15%) and carrots (area
down 14% and production up slightly (0.4%)). Increased plantings and production were
reported for potatoes (area up 12% and production up 16%) and pumpkins (area up 7% and
production up 12%).
Most fruit producers reported decreased production as a result of less than ideal conditions
such as drought, lack of irrigation water and unseasonal weather including rain at harvest.
Among the fruit crops with reported falls were mangoes (down 16%), peaches (down 16%),
oranges (down 13%) and bananas (down 3%).
Further details are in Agricultural Commodities, Australia 2007- 08 (cat. no. 7121.0), available
Media Note: Please ensure when reporting on ABS data that you attribute the Australian
Bureau of Statistics (or the ABS) as the source.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
Media requests and interviews:
Corporate Communications 1300 175 070
Statistical clarification:
Nigel Gibson (03) 6222 5940
22 May, 2009
Embargoed 11.30 am (AEST)
29/2009
NEWS 
