Trade

Rural Bank’s Australian Agricultural Exports Report 2022/23 has found that export values reached a record high in 2022/23, driven by the 2022 winter crop. Australia’s top 13 export markets recorded year-on-year growth with the top 12 all achieving record highs, led by China, with Japan and the US retaining their places as Australian agriculture’s second and third most valuable markets.

The announcement that Indonesia will lift its live cattle export suspension with immediate effect is welcomed. With Malaysia recently making the same announcement, this means our critical live cattle industry can return to normal export routes as quickly as possible.

The National Farmers’ Federation welcomes the agreement to resume the trade of Australian buffalo and cattle following restrictions imposed by Indonesia. We appreciate this has been a challenging time for the Australian and Indonesian industries as these issues were worked through.

Meeting the export premium market certification requirements for non-genetically modified organism (non-GMO) produce has just been made cheaper, easier, and more efficient for Australian farmers. Continuing its ongoing focus on export reform … DAFF has phased-out the use of manual processing for non-GMO certification to 37 countries...

As Australian looks towards exploring new export markets, MENA region presents a wealth of trading and investment potential for Australian regional businesses. Strategically located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia and Africa, the MENA region is a hub for global trade and commerce providing a unique opportunity for regional businesses in Australia to expand and diversify into new markets.

Australian agriculture, fisheries and forestry are set to have the third-highest yearly gross value on record in 2023-24, with production value predicted to reach $86 billion. Executive Director of ABARES Dr Jared Greenville said release of the ABARES Agricultural Commodities and Crop Reports shows the sector is remaining strong despite challenging conditions.

“Now more than ever it is crucial the State and Federal Labor Governments work together, and, given the Premier only two weeks ago announced plans to establish an embassy to do the job of elected 14 Federal Labor Members, we have little confidence in this relationship. This is too important to get wrong – stakeholders need to be brought into conversations with Government and while we await the results of Indonesia’s 60-day review, planning must be undertaken to ensure strength of the industry": Shane Love.

Farmers and representatives from across the West are packing their bags and heading to Canberra on September 5 to speak directly to politicians about the Government’s proposed phase out of live sheep exports … Australia’s live export industry is worth some $1.3 billion and generates around 10,000 jobs, many in remote areas.

South-East Asia presents a "bright spot" for Australian and New Zealand dairy exporters in an "increasingly lethargic global economy", Rabobank says in a recently-released sector report. The specialist agribusiness bank says "better times lie ahead" for the dairy markets of the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam...

Allan Marshall recently published an excellent article outlining the important role live sheep exports play in delivering multiple benefits, especially improved animal welfare and global food security ... So why does this closure of the live sheep trade concern Grain Producers Australia?

Oaten hay is more than a simple source of fodder fibre, and new research is backing up this well-known theory. A study from the University of Melbourne has shown that high-quality oaten hay could improve animal production, especially in dairies and feedlots, and support the sustainable development of dairy production both in Australia and overseas.

Even early removal of Chinese anti-dumping tariffs would not be enough to prevent Australia’s wine industry facing several years of oversupply, Rabobank says in its newly-released Wine Quarterly Q3 2023 report ... So large is the current oversupply, says Ms Piggott, that Australia has the equivalent of 859 olympic swimming pools worth of wine in storage.

Australian agricultural commodity prices experienced a mixed month in July, with wheat and cotton prices edging up, while dairy and barley prices eased, and cattle prices tracked sideways. The movements are reflected in the NAB Rural Commodities Index* which declined 2.1 per cent in July.

The largest and most ambitious trade initiative in Australian horticulture has been given the green light with a host of partners signing on to an historic $130 million program, the Fresh and Secure Trade Alliance (FASTA) ... As part of the program, FASTA will also boost biosecurity initiatives to solidify Australia’s strong reputation in pest-management and as a responsible trading partner for years to come.

The decision by China to remove duties on Australian barley is welcome and opens the way to rebuild a $1.2 billion annual trade flow, grower representative body, GrainGrowers, said on 4 August 2023. GrainGrowers said dialogue between the Australian and Chinese governments had delivered an outcome in the longer-term interests of both countries and Australian growers.

Beef producers can expect a two-year holding pattern on cattle prices as drought conditions widen, processing sector labour shortages persist, and a huge stockpile of meat in Asian freezers start to thaw. While lightweight heifers will take the biggest price hit, the emerging El Nino may mean business opportunities for producing heavy Jap ox and heavy feeder steers, according to market analyst Simon Quilty, of Global AgriTrends.

Given the presence of the disease in Indonesia, positive results in Australian cattle post arrival are not unexpected ... Importantly, trade is and can continue to Indonesia from 28 Australian export establishments, however, there are 4 export establishments in Northern Australia who are working with the government to further ensure they are disease free.

John Hassell, President WAFarmers. Sheep farmers in Western Australia have been told by the Federal Labor Government that we have lost our social licence for live exports ... If it was a rash decision then it's time to reverse it and accept that the industry has done everything it has been asked for by the Government and should be allowed to continue.   If not then this decision marks the end of agriculture in Australia as we know it and the Government should tell us.

CBOT (Chicago Board of Trade) wheat prices soared eight per cent overnight, after Ukrainian ports were hit by Russian missiles and Russia’s Ministry of Defence warned that all vessels travelling to Ukraine’s Black Sea ports will be considered as potential carriers of military cargo. This was the highest trading level of CBOT wheat since a spike in mid-June and previously in February this year, Rabobank senior grains analyst Dennis Voznesenski said.