Northern Territory farmers hit half-billion dollar mark

Four decades ago the Territory’s plant-based farming industry was worth less than $1 million. Now we’ve passed a major milestone and mangoes are a significant contributor.

The Northern Territory’s plant-based agricultural sector has reached a major milestone.

For the first time, agriculture’s contribution to the Territory economy has passed $500m.

NT Farmers have released newly collated statistics to show agriculture’s increased contribution to the Territory economy.

In 1980, plant-based agriculture in the Territory was valued at less than $1m.

NT Farmers chief executive Paul Burke said new data showed significant growth in 2021.

NT Farmers chief executive Paul Burke is happy with how agriculture is booming.

“The industry is growing at an impressive 11.60 per cent a year and will continue to expand thanks to significant agricultural investment planned for the NT,” Mr Burke said.

“Nearly all our major commodities such as mangoes, melons and cotton will increase production over the next few years.”

He said the melon and vegetable sectors increased 18.44 per cent and 15.52 per cent respectively since 2019 and mangoes remained the Territory’s largest commodity sector

with $128 million in revenue.

“For the first time since we began collecting this economic data, we have recorded the economic output of the cotton industry,” Mr Burke said.

“In 2017 farmers began trialling modern cotton in the Territory and now it is a $21.3m industry.

“We expect the industry to expand at a responsible rate thanks to high cotton prices and the strong cotton yields achieved to date in the Territory.

Trucky Dave White inspects his cotton load outside of Katherine in October.

“Farmers are growing our economy and creating thousands of jobs for Territorians, particularly in our regional towns.

“Unlike other boom and bust industries, the agricultural sector has consistently made a strong contribution to the NT economy and created long term jobs.

“The statistics are impressive considering the challenges agriculture has faced recently.

“We have experienced multiple biosecurity threats and adverse weather conditions since 2019. “However, the industry has successfully managed to overcome the challenges and enhance its economic returns.

“The future looks bright for the industry with significant interest from large agricultural investors in the Territory and strong commodity prices. Our farmers are perfectly positioned to continue to supply food and fibre to the rest of Australia and the world.

“Territory mangoes are now being enjoyed in new markets such as Korea and Hong Kong.”