With vaccination rates steadily growing across the state, Queensland’s agricultural sector is set for strong 2021-22 results surpassing the previous high in the 2016-2017 season.

Queensland’s primary industry commodities have been forecast to reach $20.66 billion in total value for the current season, up 8% on 2020-21 and the 5-year average.

The anticipated result will also outpace the 2016-17 high of $20.11 billion and represents the third year of consecutive growth for Queensland’s agriculture, food and fibre gross value of production.

“Record yields, strong prices and favourable conditions have provided for a positive outlook for the sector,” Mark Furner, minister for agricultural industry development and fisheries and minister for rural communities.

“Exceptional growth is forecast for our summer and winter crops, as well as continued growth in cattle and meat processing helps reinforce that Queensland is the right place to invest.”

According to Furner, Queensland’s wheat and barley crops are anticipated to double, with cotton and chickpea set to grow by 30%.

Further, sorghum crop is expected to see a 15% increase and cattle and calves in the state are set to increase by 8%.

In Queensland, the agricultural sectors largest contributors will be meat products, accounting for 47%, horticulture 22%, sugar 9% and cereal products, 8%.

Nationally, Australia’s agricultural production was in September forecast to reach a record gross value of $73.0 billion for 2021-22, breaking the $70 billion mark for the first time in history.

“Because the Palaszczuk Government classed agriculture as an essential industry at the start of the pandemic top-quality Queensland produce continues to be sent around Australia and overseas,” added Furner.

Over 2020-21, Queensland’s agriculture, forestry and fishery industries directly employed around 84,000 people, while directly and indirectly employing more than 348,000, providing more than 10% of all employment in the Darling Downs-Maranoa, Outback Queensland and Wide Bay areas.

Furner urged Queenslanders to continue to get vaccinated to allow the agricultural sector to continue to thrive, create jobs for regional communities and support the state at large in its COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan.

“Getting vaccinated is the best way to drive Queensland’s economic recovery and reunite families this Christmas,” concluded Furner.