Western Downs’ agricultural economy valued at $951m according to AgTrends data

The Western Downs has Queensland’s second largest agricultural economy thanks in large part to its beef production, with almost a quarter of the state’s beef produced locally. Find out more.

The cattle industry has helped drive the agriculture sector of the Western Downs. Photo: File.

New data from the state government has revealed the Western Downs has Queensland’s second largest agricultural economy, with an estimated value of $951m.

The Western Downs was beaten out by Toowoomba, with the Garden City boasting a Gross Value of Production of $1.27bn, while Bundaberg took third place with $899m.

The Western Downs also took second place to Toowoomba in 2022-2023 with a valuation of $1.11bn.

One of Queensland’s largest producer of sorghum, wheat, oats, barley and mung beans, more than 50 per cent of the Western Downs’ agricultural land is classified as ‘strategic cropping land’.

While cropping plays a large role in the Western Down’s agricultural footprint, its beef production is its largest economic contributor with almost a quarter of Queensland’s beef produced in the region.

Alongside sugar the report highlighted beef as the highest value Queensland commodity contributing $5.71bn to the state’s economy.

The report also showed Queensland’s agricultural centre was forecast to reach its second highest value on record at $23.56 billion.

In a Queensland government press release Agricultural Industry Development Minister Mark Furner said the future was bright for the agricultural industry.

“Queensland’s food and fibre is the best in the world, and our primary producers have showed remarkable resilience in delivering a bumper 2023-24 despite challenging conditions,” he said in a statement.

“While Queensland is officially drought free, conditions were drier overall leading to tougher conditions for growers and graziers.

“Our traditional titans of beef and sugar remain a cornerstone of the Queensland economy, and it’s great to see strong growth for many growers, particularly for macadamias, sugar, chickpeas, apples and strawberries.

“The future is bright with a second-highest value on record projected for the Ag sector in 2024-25.”