F&A sector: from annus horribilis to $200 billion by 2030

From drought and bushfires, through to COVID-19 and recession, Australia’s food and agribusiness (F&A) sector has navigated major disruptions over the past 24 months.

Despite these challenges, a report found that the F&A sector’s contribution to Australian annual GDP could surpass $200 billion by 2030 — more than three times greater than its current value of $61 billion.

Commissioned by the Food and Agribusiness Growth Centre, the ‘Capturing the Prize’ report takes into account the current impact on the sector of COVID-19 to quantify the 10 future trends and 19 growth opportunities that — if pursued — will unlock the sector’s untapped potential of more than $200 billion within the decade.

The Growth Centre’s Managing Director, Dr Mirjana Prica, said Capturing the Prize is rich with the insights required to unleash this significant growth potential.

“However, making it a reality is not a forgone conclusion — if food and agribusinesses are to reap these rewards, business as usual will not suffice,” Prica said.

The report highlights a growing sentiment amongst F&A leaders — food and agribusinesses need to operate differently.

The sector needs to adopt a whole-of-value-chain approach that unlocks value on either side of the farm gate.

This would facilitate the scaling up necessary to boost competitiveness and ensure supply chain resilience.

In addition to identifying the 19 growth opportunities that could see the value of the Australian F&A sector soar, the research also reveals that pursuing these growth opportunities is estimated to create 300,000 jobs by 2030.

Food and Agribusiness Growth Centre Chair Dr Michele Allan said the findings have the potential to transform the livelihoods of the sector’s 176,000 businesses, the majority being small to medium-sized, family-run businesses.

“It also has the potential to finally align industry direction, government policy and commercial investment behind a shared target. This will focus efforts to see the sector’s contribution to Australian annual GDP exceeding $200 billion by 2030,” Allan said.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/kinwun