Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing

Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing is the third largest employing sector in the Armidale Region and produces the second largest export value. Beef production is a major export, but Armidale also produces over half of NSW's tomatoes.

A MAJOR LOCAL INDUSTRY

• Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing is a substantial provider of wealth in the Armidale Region. Its share of output and value added in 2018/19 was effectively double the regional NSW average.

• It is the second largest generator of exports for the Region, providing almost a third of total exports in 2018/19.

• 1 in every 10 workers in Armidale Region work in the Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Sector.

"Just over 30% of the businesses in Armidale Region are in Agriculture, most of them family run farms "

"In 2019, the offices of the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) were moved to Armidale reflecting its strength in agricultural knowledge and expertise"

RECENT GROWTH

• Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing has averaged 0.2% p.a. growth in value added over the last decade, but the last three years has seen slightly stronger increases in contrast to a regional NSW decline.

• Exports in the sector have grown slightly above the regional NSW average over the decade. The last three years has been particularly strong.

• Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing jobs have grown by 0.7% p.a. over the decade, and recent jobs growth has averaged 2.9% p.a., well above the regional NSW average.

KEY SUB-INDUSTRIES

• Agriculture is the largest contributor within the Sector, generating $148M in value added in 2018/19, or 92% of the total.

• The largest numbers of businesses are in Specialised Beef Cattle Farming (192 in 2019), and Sheep-Beef Cattle Farming (145 in 2019).

"UNE hosts a number of facilities aimied at improving agriculture productivity including the Livestock Industries Centre and the SMART Farm Innovation Centre"

"Controlled Environment
Horticulture is becoming a growth industry in the Armidale region led by the Costa Group expansion at Guyra"

GROWTH IN TOMATOES COUNTERACTING WEAK BEEF PRODUCTION

• The production of beef generates the most value in the Armidale region, but this value has fluctuated. The value of production in 2018/19 was estimated to be lower than five years previous.

• The value of tomatoes production in the region has doubled in the last five years, growing by an estimated $16.7M to exceed $31M in 2018/19.

• Lamb and wool are the two other largest commodities averaging $18-22M in value over the five years.

WORKFORCE CHARACTERISTICS

In 2016:

• Armidale Region workers were slightly younger, less likely to be male and more likely to be born overseas than the regional NSW average.

• A higher share of workers were degree educated.

• A lower share of workers managed their own business.

• Workers were more likely to be working full-time than the regional NSW average but were earning lower median incomes.

LOCAL ORGANISATIONS