Browse Data and Analysis

Australia is a prosperous and industrialized nation with a stable economy. The country’s strong economy underpins its open and transparent trade and investment environment and trade and economic links with emerging economies, particularly in Asia.

Australia has been a world powerhouse of high-quality wool production and exports for over 150 years. The industry now exports around 323,000 metric tons (MT) of wool valued at about US$2.3 billion - more than any other wool exporter.

Milk production for 2024 in Australia is forecast to increase by 0.6 percent to 8.50 million metric tons (MMT) after stabilizing in 2023 at an estimated 8.45 MMT from previous years of declining production. The forecast is amid an El Niño weather pattern in late 2023, likely to continue into 2024.

The Australian federal government supports biotechnology and has committed considerable long-term funding to research and development.

Wheat and barley crops have had a great start to the season, with high soil moisture reserves and good rains in the fall. But rainfall has been well below average from July to September 2023.

Chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, are a legume full of protein, fiber, complex carbohydrates, and are relatively low in calories. Chickpeas are used in many Indian and Mediterranean dishes. Australia, India, and Canada are the top three chickpea exporters accounting for more than 40 percent of the world’s exports in 2022. Pakistan is the largest importer, followed by the European Union, Bangladesh, and Turkey.

Australia’s table grape production is expected to increase to a record 220,000 MT in marketing year (MY) 2023/24 from an estimated 210,000 metric tons (MT) in MY 2022/23.

2022 saw the start of the post-pandemic recovery for the hospitality industry in Australia.

Stone fruit production in Australia is forecast to increase in marketing year (MY) 2023/24, following two successive seasons affected by unseasonably wet weather, labor shortages at harvest, logistics challenges, and very high costs due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

FAS/Canberra’s sugar cane production estimate for Australia is revised downward for marketing year (MY) 2023/24 to 31.0 million metric tons (MMT). A very late finish to the MY 2023/24 harvest combined with a bigger-than-usual tropical wet season has...

Australian beef supply is forecast to recover in 2024 to the point of reaching the sixth highest production on record.

All foods sold in Australia must comply with a range of laws designed to protect consumer, plant, and animal health. These laws apply equally to imported and locally produced foods.