Australia
January 30, 2009
Source:
AUSVEG
 The
combined effects of a rise in the quantity of vegetables sold
and higher vegetable prices led to a 51 per cent increase in
farm cash incomes for vegetable farms, on average, in 2006-07.
However, the costs associated with vegetable production rose
substantially, especially in relation to fuel and fertiliser, in
2007-08. This and lower prices for vegetables are likely to have
adversely affected the financial performance of vegetable
growing farms in 2007-08.
The report
Australian vegetable growing farms: an economic survey, 2006-07,
was released today by Phillip Glyde, Executive Director, ABARE
and John Webster, Managing Director, Horticulture Australia
Limited (HAL).
“With an improvement in seasonal conditions in 2006-07 for
vegetable growing in Australia, vegetable crop yields were
generally higher and the average farm cash income rose to an
estimated $237,600 per farm in that year,” said Mr Glyde.
This report presents results from a survey conducted by ABARE of
287 vegetable growers that was undertaken in September 2008 and
presents estimates of production, socioeconomic and financial
characteristics of vegetable farms during 2006-07.
“It is absolutely essential that the industry has data in three
critical areas: production, trade and financial performance.
This information enables the industry to effectively engage with
policy-makers, legislators, the media and the Australian
community to ensure the industry operates within a supportive
environment,” Mr Webster said.
This is the first of three surveys commissioned by HAL using the
vegetable levy and matched funding from the Australian
Government. The surveys support a key strategy of the vegetable
industry strategic plan: to have advanced industry data and
information systems to meet future needs and to set a strategic
direction for the industry.
AUSVEG Chair, John Brent,
said he was pleased with the level of participation in the first
survey and encouraged growers to engage in the next round of
data collection which will commence on 28 February. |
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