The value of Queensland’s agricultural sector in 2019–20 has been forecast to be $16.99 billion, a five per cent drop on last year’s estimate, mainly as a result of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries, Mark Furner said that over time he expected to see the AgTrends Report figures improve as Queenslanders began to unite and recover from the virus.
“The agricultural industry has been a key strength through COVID-19, and we have committed another $12.5 million to helping the sector come through the crisis even stronger than before,” Mr Furner said.
“We are working closer with stakeholder groups than ever before and they have stood with us to keep the economy going while continuing to send great produce across the State, the nation and the world.”
He said two per cent of the reduction, or $275 million, was directly attributed to COVID-19, with fruit and vegetables, pigs, cut flowers, forestry and fisheries commodities most affected.
“Over the past three months, exports have been disrupted, demand across the food service sector has dropped significantly and labour supply has been restricted,” Mr Furner said.
“However, there are promising signs. The sector has good prospects in the medium-term, and we moved quickly to ensure the safe and timely movement of seasonal labour.”
He said some operators had quickly adapted to the situation by diverting their products into alternative markets, transforming produce into frozen or manufactured value-added products, while others had changed production practices.
Mr Furner said looking beyond COVID-19, the sector was expected to continue performing as a critical pillar of the State’s economy, despite the ongoing impact of the drought.
“Current tariff concerns are unlikely to impact on this outlook as the majority of barley is purchased by local feedlots, and beef exports have found alternative markets,” he said.
