January 31, 2012

Australian state brings record farm exports

Driven by a bumper grain harvest and higher commodity prices, the agricultural exports of Victoria, Australia brought in more than US$8 billion for its last financial year.

The dairy industry was the biggest contributor to that figure.

The record-breaking result means Victoria remains Australia's biggest agricultural exporter.

Agriculture Minister Peter Walsh says it is a great result for farmers and the wider economy.

He says the sector has bounced back well from more than a decade of drought.

"Twenty-eight per cent of Australia's food and fibre exports come out of Victoria," he said.

He says Victoria only has about 3% of the arable land mass on the Australian continent.

"So we've lived through some tough times with the droughts," he said. "When you actually have a good story I think we need to be proud of it."