Trade

Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud said Labor can’t be trusted on its hollow promise to deliver a food security plan, after treating the sector with contempt, with new taxes, soaring energy prices, and a crippling Industrial Relations (IR) and workforce agenda. Mr Littleproud said Labor had ignored calls from industries across the supply chain for almost three years for a security and resilience plan, to get food from paddock to plate.

The quality of the region’s dairy supply has been put on show for the world to see with Riverina Fresh claiming the top spot at the National Barista Championships in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The competition sees contestants use milk suppliers from around the world in their bid to claim the title of the best barista in the gulf state.

The US’s trade surplus with Australia has so far helped keep Australian food and agri exports off the ‘wheel of misfortune’ when it comes to the new wave of US tariffs, Rabobank says in a newly-released global report.

Agriculture, fisheries and forestry is well placed to take on future challenges and opportunities, according to the latest ABARES Snapshot of Australian agriculture. Sector value and production have continued to grow over the past 20 years with another strong performance expected in 2024-25.

The cost of producing milk in Australia continues to compare favourably with other dairy-exporting regions, despite a structural lift in global milk production costs across the past five years, according to a new report by agribusiness banking specialist Rabobank.

Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud said live sheep export farmers have been dealt another insulting blow by the Albanese Labor Government, amid revelations $2.3 million of the budget allocated to phase out live sheep exports has gone to a global media company for advertising.

Australian barley production is forecast to lift by eight per cent to deliver 11.7 million tonnes in the 2024/25 season – while facing trade headwinds as Chinese buyers plan to focus on their own domestic market – according to new research from Rabobank.

As the second February sitting week wraps up, Australian famers have secured major policy wins across biosecurity, taxation, environment and trade. National Farmers’ Federation President David Jochinke has spent the past sitting fortnight balancing his time between the farm and the halls of Parliament, speaking directly with political leaders.

The latest Monthly Commodity Insights report from Bendigo Bank Agribusiness flags a strong start for Australian agricultural markets in 2025.

The opening statement by National Farmers’ Federation General Manager of Economics and Trade, Chris Young to the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties, holding a public hearing on the United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (UAE CEPA).

In 2025, economic conditions, geopolitics, and supply availability will significantly influence global animal protein markets, according to RaboResearch’s Global Animal Protein Outlook. While demand remains vulnerable to macroeconomic fluctuations and policy changes, seafood is poised to surpass poultry...

In 2024, Ukrainian agricultural exporters achieved impressive results. They sold goods worth US$24.5b. This is the second best result in the entire history of Ukrainian agriculture. The victory was achieved despite many problems and thanks to intensive improvement of agriculture. The war became the main driver of competitiveness for Ukrainian farmers.

Changed eating patterns due to the rising use of anti-obesity drugs, a shift towards in-home alcohol consumption and increasing demand for dairy products tailored to older consumers are among some of the top global trends in food and agri set to be felt in Australia in the next five years, according to a new series of podcasts from Rabobank.

Christine Webster. Riverland West certified organic horticulturist Bruce Armstrong is creating a niche market for his produce supplying wholesalers and customers in Adelaide, Melbourne, and the region ... "It usually took about 12 to 18 months to make an income from the organic wine, and this is why we started growing the organic vegetables," Mr Armstrong said.

Last year was the largest year for red meat exports in history, with records set for beef, lamb, mutton and goatmeat, according to Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA). In 2024, Australia exported 2.24 million tonnes of red meat to 104 countries, representing the largest volume of red meat ever exported.

On November 11 last year the WA Premier all but confirmed the project will go ahead. The only question is how much the Feds will stump up and how much influence will the unions have on the final design.

Maldon’s historic postbox has had a lick of lovely fresh paint and it seems like the perfect symbol of renewal to say: Happy New Year! But the inspiring story of how the pillar box came to be painted by Mick Slocum OAM also speaks of regeneration and rejuvenation at any time and any age.

New and improved agricultural levies legislation will replace the existing framework next year, making the levy system more user friendly for participants and making it easier for them to understand their obligations. More than 50 pieces of legislation governing over 110 levies and charges – across 75 commodities and 18 bodies that receive levies – are being streamlined into five Acts and subordinate legislation.

...Uncle Owen Whyman presented as part of an Indigenous panel at COP29 during the ‘United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change’ in Baku, Azerbaijan. Uncle Owen is a respected Wilcannia community leader, volunteer board member of the Indigenous Peoples’ Organisation, Chair of the Paroo-Darling National Park Co-management Committee, Deputy Chair of the Mutawintji National Park Board of Management, board member of North-Western Water Council, and founder and convenor of the Indigenous - Aboriginal Party of Australia (IAPA).

Herd contraction in the world’s four largest beef-producing nations – the US, Brazil, China and Europe – is expected to lead to the first reduction in global beef supply since the Covid-19 pandemic, altering trade flows in the year ahead, Rabobank says in a recently-released research report. In its latest (Q4) Global Beef Quarterly, titled Navigating declining global production, uncertainty in 2025 … Brazil and the US are likely to lead declines in beef production next year.