Trade

Australia is set to plant a reduced winter crop this year, as the nation’s grain growers contend with mixed weather conditions and the impacts of significantly-higher farm input costs, Rabobank says in its 2026/27 Australian Winter Crop Forecast. The specialist agribusiness bank estimates Australia’s winter cropping area will come in at 23.1 million hectares for the season – down eight per cent on last year and 4.3 per cent below the five-year average.

Amused by the now familiar angry interventions of the former Prime Minister, Paul Keating, on behalf of his acolyte and sycophantic follower Jim Chalmers, attempting to save him from the quicksand of the 2026 Federal Budget, Kookaburra has been taken back in time to December 1983.

As part of the Finocchiaro CLP Government’s year of Growth, Certainty and Security, Minister for Trade, Business and Asian Relations Robyn Cahill is leading a targeted government delegation to Taiwan this week, advancing the Territory’s position as a trusted and competitive partner for one of our most important trading partners.

The May Budget delivered by Treasurer Jim Chalmers has elicited criticism, and some praise, from many quarters, as illustrated by the following statements from the National Party, Beyond Zero Emissions, National Farmers' Federation and the NFF Horticulture Council, National Seniors Australia, Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals, TasFarmers, Grain Producers Australia and NSW Farmers.

The 11 influential importers and buyers from China and Hong Kong last week visited South Australia to experience the state’s world-class wines first-hand and to agree to new export deals. The four-day program, hosted by renowned wine experts Tony Love and Kate Spain, saw the diverse group of wine buyers take part in an immersive experience of South Australia’s world-class wine...

Bendigo Bank Agribusiness’ latest Monthly Commodity Update reports tightening supply and a shift away from synthetic ‘fast fashion’ is driving a surge in the Australian wool market while avocado supply is bracing for a dive.

Leader of the Nationals WA Shane Love MLA says Regional Western Australia has once again been left behind, with the State Budget delivering more disappointment for communities that generate the wealth of the nation ... "Regional WA is the powerhouse of our state and our nation, yet only a miniscule amount of the wealth generated in the bush is reinvested where it is created."

More than 50 delegates from some of the world’s leading fashion brands, retailers and non-government organisations have travelled from across Australia and overseas to the Namoi Valley, as part of Cotton Australia’s flagship Camp Cotton event - reinforcing growing global demand for traceable, sustainably produced natural fibres.

... the approval of five additional export beef establishments for exports to Indonesia, including one establishment also receiving approval for sheep and goat meat ... is a boost for Australia’s trade relationship with Indonesia where more high-quality Australian halal red meat will now be available.

Elders Ltd (ASX: ELD) has been appointed by Jumbuck Pastoral to undertake the divestment of a contiguous aggregation of three pastoral stations spanning 1,289,700 hectares. The aggregation is an iconic powerhouse of wool and sheep meat production, having the prescribed capacity to carry over 83,300 sheep.

In the 1930s, Winston Churchill warned that Europe was sleepwalking into danger. Across the chamber, Neville Chamberlain insisted all would be well. “Peace in our time,” he said—a comforting line, right up until Hitler crossed into Poland. We are seeing a modern version of that same delusion play out today.

The Cook Labor Government is entering an agreement to purchase an additional 8 million litres of diesel for Western Australia's strategic stockpile.

The economic impact of the conflict in the Middle East is and will continue to have wide ranging impacts on all facets of Australian society with costs increasing due to the nation’s reliance on trucks and diesel ... 71 years later, current owner Robert Blanchard said the industry is facing its toughest times in decades and his first diesel delivery since the Middle East crisis erupted was $68,000 more than in early March.

Under the Albanese Government’s new Strategic Reserve powers, a further 200 million litres of additional diesel for Australia has been secured, and work has commenced with leading fertiliser companies to secure more supply at this critical time in the growing season.

The shortages caused by attacks on Iran by Israel and the US have massively increased interest in the Territory’s huge gas reserves as well as several minerals. This is clearly the main talking point at the Annual Geoscience Exploration Seminar (AGES) this week in Alice Springs which may become the base for a major mine.

At a time when Australian farmers are facing a major fertiliser squeeze, Canberra has decided the priority is not supply, not affordability, and not domestic resilience—but underwriting a green ammonia export dream ... while farmers are being told to accept decile 10 nitrogen prices, or even decile zero availability, taxpayers—including those same farmers in the years they make money—are being lined up to help fast track a plant that will help foreign farmers access fertiliser.

Today, Australia and the UK have signed an Investment Partnership to further unlock superannuation and pension capital investment between our countries. This new agreement will help to secure more two-way investment in jobs and industries and strong returns for investors from both countries.

The Albanese Labor Government is helping to get fertiliser to Australian farmers faster with the introduction of streamlined border processes for imported fertiliser that does not compromise on biosecurity. These changes, which have been established in consultation with Fertilizer Australia, will reduce costs, reduce port clearance times, lower administrative burdens and ensure the safety of fertiliser prior to shipping.