Our food sector is a global leader

With uncertainty and disruption from the pandemic exacerbated by war in Europe, it is important to reflect on what role Australian agriculture plays both in domestic prosperity and global security. On its 10th anniversary, the Global Food Forum, presented by The Australian and Visy, is a valuable opportunity to highlight both the challenges and opportunities. Visy chairman Anthony Pratt was able to put Australia’s position into context. War in Ukraine has disrupted production in one of the world’s six food baskets that supply three-quarters of the globe’s food commodities. A shortage of wheat flour and bread as a result of the war risks social unrest in Africa, while interruptions to fertiliser supplies from the region will cause a food deficit in places as far away as Brazil.

A healthy Australian agriculture sector is playing its part supplying hungry world markets and participating at the cutting edge of technological development in areas that can increase yields, reduce waste and help the world respond to climate change. Pollination Investment and Advisory Group global co-founder and senior partner Martijn Wilder said Australia was a world leader in climate change innovation in the agriculture sector, something that had been “underestimated”. Over the 10 years that the Food Forum has been held, food exports from Australia have risen from $29bn to almost $50bn. Processing of food and beverages represents Australia’s biggest manufacturing sector, with jobs spread through regional communities. The agriculture sector still faces challenges, however. National Farmers Federation president Fiona Simson said primary producers were still feeling the impacts of disruption from the pandemic. “We haven’t got ships, we haven’t got containers … we don’t have any workforce,” Ms Simson said.

These are challenges that require urgent attention to maximise opportunity at a time of global crisis. Through the Food Forum, together with Visy and The Wall Street Journal, we will continue to put a spotlight on what is a fundamental part of the Australian economy and community.