Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association, Media Release, 18 November 2022

What is National Ag Day?

All Australians enjoy the world class food and fibre grown right here in Australia. But some Australians know very little about the farmers and workers who put food on their tables. National Agriculture Day is your chance to celebrate and learn about Australia’s incredible farm sector. Today is the day to celebrate an industry that’s part of our lives every single day.

“Today’s release of the Tasmanian Agri-Food ScoreCard 2020-21 highlights the continued growth of Tasmanian agriculture, highlighting that we have a lot celebrate today – National Ag Day,” said Ian Sauer TFGA President.

“La Nina weather patterns, global unrest, freight congestion and the pandemic has seen significant disruptions for many industries including agriculture. The Tasmanian Agri-Food ScoreCard 2020-21 confirms Tasmanian agriculture’s continued growth even in the face of unsettled production, market and climatic conditions.  

Food agricultural production has increased gross farm-gate value by 10% from the 2019-20 period to $1,994 million, non-food agriculture also has increased 3.5% for the same period to $352 million.

“The ScoreCard figures reaffirms the benefits of the Tasmania government’s commitment to irrigation investment. The rubber is truly starting to hit the road for on-farm irrigation development, resulting in increased production in areas such as: berries, pasture-based production and horticulture.

“Tasmanian farmers are filling the consumer plate with our diverse, reliable and world class agricultural production,” said Ian Sauer.

“Tasmania’s reliability and stability is placing it, in poll position as a preferred trading partner, nationally and globally. The unceasing focus on quality, consistency and innovation will continue to be the backbone Tasmania’s agricultural growth.

“The big winners in this ScoreCard are beef and berries. Dairy has had an overall increase in production, but due to lower milk prices a decrease in farm-gate value.

“A few key numbers gross farm-gate value from the ScoreCard:

• Beef increased by 8% gross farm-gate value.
• Berries was the largest increase, from $128m in 2019-20 to $209m in 2020-21.
• Dairy just pips beef in the overall highest value primary production farm-gate value at $490m, beef just behind at $416 m.
• Potatoes are the State’s highest value vegetable with Tasmanian the largest producing state during the 2021-21 period accounting for over 31% of the national production.
• Wool farm gate value is down by 17%,” said Ian.