Vic food and fibre export values at record level

Victoria’s food and fibre exports reached a record $19.6 billion in 2022-23, with grain exports leading the way.

Victoria’s food and fibre exports have grown 7 per cent to a record $19.6 billion, new figures reveal.

The state government last week released its annual Victorian Food and Fibre Export Performance Summary, with the $19.6 billion figure just shy of the $20 billion outlined in the state government’s Agriculture Strategy in 2020.

Grain was Victoria’s largest commodity export by value in 2022-23 at $5.6 billion, making up 28 per cent of the state’s export total.

With grain export value also increasing of 26 per cent year-on-year, Victorian Farmers Federation grains group president and Berriwillock farmer Craig Henderson said it was a good year, and that the growth may be reflective of a new trend emerging.

“It was a bit wet in general, but the yields were quite high, and the prices were probably better than the long term averages,” he said.

“There seems to be a trend with the new generation coming through with better farming practices, and choosing to do more continuous cropping rather than mixed operations.”

Victorian Farmers Federation grains group president and Berriwillock farmer Craig Henderson. Picture: David Geraghty

Mr Henderson is not expecting the same level of growth this year, and said farmers are preparing for possible fertiliser shortages in the next year.

“Harvest is going to take a bit off the top in the Western District. There are still a million tonnes to be harvested and some has been quite weather damaged,” he said.

“One of the things that could happen in the next 12 months is that if we have a supply chain break on our inputs, such as fertiliser, it could have an adverse effect on production.

“Farmers are getting their fertiliser earlier and earlier on the farm to make sure they don’t get caught short.”

Victoria was Australia’s greatest exporters by value of dairy, horticulture and animal fibre, with 63 per cent of the state’s exports by value going to Asia.