How the Mackay region can benefit from agribusiness

From cattle to sugarcane and tomatoes, the Mackay Isaac Whitsunday region’s export and production potential enormous

AN AGRIBUSINESS study will help the Mackay region capitalise on its future export and production potential.

With its stable climate, good natural resources and key geographical positioning, the Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday regions have a capacity and potential for growth that has, until now, not been quantified.

But the Mackay Isaac Whitsunday Agribusiness Export Supply Chain Mapping Study, released at the Growing Greater Whitsunday Agrifood Steering Committee at CQUniversity, yesterday, has identified roadblocks to the region reaching its full potential.

The study revealed the capacity and growth potential for existing and new agricultural commodities in the region if existing and underused assets, including improving road infrastructure, rail and port access were strengthened.

A diverse range of agricultural commodities is produced in the region, but 78 per cent of the gross value of production is in cattle, sugarcane and tomatoes.

Other key commodities include additional fruit and vegetables, broadacre cropping and fish and seafood.

"The region is currently well placed to focus on growing its existing and mature markets of beef cattle and sugar while the report highlights that developing market access in new product areas such as better waste streams as well as growing high-value opportunities in other horticultural products, fish and seafood needs further attention," Greater Whitsunday Alliance chief executive officer Kylie Porter said.

"Importantly, the study also highlighted the MIW locations and how we are placed between north and south Queensland, which makes it a key node in the broader supply chain, due to many products travelling through this region.

"Ongoing collaboration with other regions in northern Australia was key to developing continuity of supply and scale, which are the two pillars for export and opportunity," Ms Porter said.

The study was a collaboration between Greater Whitsunday Alliance, the Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia, North Queensland Bulk Ports, Regional Development Australia Mackay Isaac Whitsunday and Bowen Gumlu Growers Association.