Agribusiness
South Australia produces half of Australia’s wine and Adelaide is Australia's most cost-competitive city.1
The State is driving an increase in food exports and domestic sales towards $15 billion by 2010 and is an ideal location for international food and beverage companies seeking investment opportunities for global expansion.
South Australia is home to the National Wine Centre, numerous wineries and vineyards, and world-leading research and education in viticulture and wine science. We also have an international reputation for quality agricultural and food products, including seafood, meat, horticulture and dairy.
Overview
The food sector is one of South Australia’s largest industries, with opportunities growing for trade with China, India, the United States and South-East Asia.
Team this with one of the world’s most sustainable growing environments and our Mediterranean climate and you have an excellent base for most agribusiness operations.
Snapshot of South Australia’s signature produce
• Seafood – premium shellfish and scale fish, Southern Rock lobster, tuna, prawns, abalone and oysters.
• Fruit and vegetables – export quality produce ranging from oranges, stone fruits, pome fruits and almonds to potatoes, onions and other intensive crops.
• Poultry, meat and game – including lamb, beef, kangaroo and emu.
• Dairy – fresh and long-life milk at world competitive prices and processed products including cheeses, ice cream and desserts.
• Wines and beverages – the largest sub-sector of the industry.
• Cereals and pulses – premium milled grains, maltings and pasta.
• Oils and condiments – world-class olive oil and gourmet condiments.
• Confectionery – gourmet lines using local, natural ingredients.
Output
• $3 billion income in agriculture, forestry and fishing in 2005-06, representing 5.5% of State income.
• $6 billion income in food and beverage manufacturing in 2002-03.
Exports
• $3.5 billion in 2005-06 for total agribusiness, accounting for 32% of total State exports.
• Key export markets are Japan, USA, China, Canada, UK and Europe, New Zealand, and East Asia.
Employment
• Employed 60,000 people in 2005-06, with 63% in agriculture, forestry and fishing and 37% in manufacturing.
• Agribusiness represents 8.0% of total South Australian employment.
Workforce Information Service
Research and development
• In 2004-05, the South Australian agribusiness industry invested almost $30 million in research and development.
• South Australia is home to the Waite campus, encompassing the largest agricultural research complex in the Southern Hemisphere. Waite incorporates several co-operative research centres established with government and industry partners, as well as the Commonwealth Scientific and Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australian Wine Research Institute and South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI).
• The Waite Campus annual combined research expenditure exceeds $110 million.
Number of businesses
• There were 22,245 businesses operating in agriculture, forestry and fishing at the end 30 June 2006.
Further information: PIRSA Scorecards: www.safoodcentre.com/facts
Case studies
ABB Grain
T&R Pastoral
Kangaroo Island Abalone
Jacob’s Creek Wine
