A message from Executive Director, Dr Jared Greenville |
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Each year, ABARES embarks on a vital mission — collecting firsthand data from farms across the nation.
This data paints an essential picture of how Australian farms are performing, helping us to better understand the challenges facing agriculture today.
From June to December, 35 dedicated ABARES officers hit the field to conduct face-to-face interviews with nearly 1900 pre-selected farmers across Australia.
Each visit is more than just a data collection exercise — it's an opportunity to connect with the farmers whose hard work underpins Australia's agricultural strength.
The survey itself dives into critical areas such as farm structure, land use, production levels, costs, and the overall economic health of the farm business.
Without this information we wouldn't be able to tell the story on agricultural productivity for instance – a key priority for the current government.
The success of this longstanding survey program depends heavily on the cooperation of the farmers selected to participate.
Their willingness to share detailed and accurate information fuels an evidence base that benefits the entire industry and the broader Australian community.
More about our farm survey data here. |
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ABARES Farm Survey Canberra visit in pictures
Top: Survey collectors (from left) Julie Knight, Fiona Burnett and Alex Robertson.
Bottom left: Survey collectors (from left) Lisa Sutton and Eleanor Bellgrove.
Bottom right: ABARES Executive Director, Dr Jared Greenville with Survey collector Jim Ross. |
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Latest forecasts – upsides and downsides
Our latest forecasts published 4 June present both upsides and downside risks for the agricultural outlook in the year ahead – amidst global economic uncertainty and challenging seasonal conditions in the southeast of Australia.
We are forecasting 2025–26 Australian agricultural production to reach $90.7 billion in value ($97.5 billion including fisheries and forestry production), the third highest on record.
Production value for livestock and livestock products is expected to fall from record highs to $40 billion in 2025–26, driven by lower sheep and cattle turn-off.
Crop production levels, whilst falling 8% due to a return to more neutral conditions compared to 2024–25, are expected to remain above average in 2025–26.
Given recent dry conditions in many parts of the southeast, this outcome will be highly reliant on a generally favourable seasonal outlook being realised.
We're forecasting continued growth for Australian horticulture, with record production value of $19 billion (up 4%) in 2025–26.
While growing conditions in some irrigated horticultural regions are expected to be less favourable in 2025-26, overall production is expected to rise, supported by increased bearing trees and greater labour availability. |
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Australia's top 10 agricultural forestry and fisheries export destinations. Note: 2024–25 Australian dollars. *Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Thailand. Source: ABS |
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Ag export price outlook resilient
Despite global uncertainty, the outlook for Australian agricultural export prices remains resilient.
As noted in our June quarter Agricultural Commodities Report, softer global demand poses a downside risk, but tightening grain stocks, strong red meat demand, and a low Australian dollar should support export prices.
US demand for Australian beef is expected to remain robust given existing market access arrangements, declining US beef production, and the competitive Australian dollar.
In 2023–24, beef and other meat products accounted for nearly 80% of Australia's agricultural exports to the US and about one-third of total Australian meat exports.
However, any domestic substitution to cheaper protein alternatives – should import prices rise – represents a downside risk to US demand.
Demand from China – Australia's largest agricultural export market – is expected to remain resilient overall, supported by Chinese fiscal and monetary stimulus measures.
China accounted for nearly a quarter of the total value of Australian agricultural, forestry and fisheries exports in 2023–24.
For the latest data on export values and volumes, check out the ABARES Trade Dashboard. |
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Native forests sustainably managed
for wood production and much more
The latest ABARES insights article explores Australia's native forests managed for wood production, sustainable wood harvesting, and the ecosystem services they offer.
It finds that our native forests, including those managed for wood production, have legislation, policy and regulations to ensure their sustainable management, and support unique biodiversity.
Around 0.05% of Australia's native forest is harvested annually from our publicly owned multiple-use forests to sustainably produce important wood products such as house frames, decking, flooring, furniture, power poles, pallets, packaging and paper for use by Australians
Most of the area harvested (86%) is undertaken using 'selective' harvesting techniques where individual trees, or small groups of trees are selected for harvest, with the remaining trees providing ongoing habitat and food resources for biodiversity, and seed for the next generation of trees.
The article also delves into issues including diminishing supply and climate change. |
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Committee members view improvement in land condition with appropriate grazing management, Old Man Plains Research Station, Alice Springs NT. Photo: NT Department of Lands, Planning and Environment. |
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Out and about in the rangelands In May, DAFF's national committees on land and soil information met in Alice Springs.
The four-day meeting, hosted by ABARES and the NT Government, strengthened collaborative efforts between the states, territories and Commonwealth on nationally consistent land resource assessment including land use mapping.
The committees discussed recent developments in land suitability and capability mapping, spatial data for the National Land Account, and the collection of land management practices for the National Soil Monitoring Program.
A highlight was getting out into the field (despite the bush flies!). We got a taste for dates at the Arid Zone Research Institute – home to the largest date palm collection in the southern hemisphere. We saw at Anthwerrke (Emily Gap) the challenges of managing buffel grass, now a declared weed in the Northern Territory.
At Old Man Plains Research Station, the benefits of long-term carrying capacity trials tailored to Central Australia were visible with increased ground cover and perennial grasses giving rise to improved land condition and cattle herd productivity.
Click on the links for more information on activities of the National Committee for Land Use and Management Information (NCLUMI), and the National Committee for Soil and Terrain (NCST).
ABARES spatial web services and maps have moved
The address of ABARES web services changed on 30 June 2025. For more details see the ABARES website. If you use these services and have any feedback, email us at info.ABARES@aff.gov.au. |
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ABARES Outlook 2026 conference will again feature the exclusive Welcome Sundowners networking function. |
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ABARES Outlook 2026 - save the date
Planning is underway for the ABARES Outlook 2026 national conference, 3–4 March at Hotel Realm Canberra and online.
ABARES Outlook conferences have been informing and influencing Australian agriculture's policy agenda for more than 50 years.
Next year's conference will feature dynamic session formats, hybrid participation and the exclusive Welcome Sundowners networking function.
We are currently seeking partners to sponsor one of the industry's most trusted, anticipated and high-profile stakeholder engagement events of the year.
Our sponsorship packages are designed to deliver an excellent return on investment, whilst delivering your organisation's brand and message to our stakeholders in Australia and internationally.
To discuss partnership opportunities contact abaresevents@aff.gov.au. |
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Dr Jared Greenville with panel members Mr Philippe Mauguin, Dr Alison Bentley, Prof Damien Field and Dr Jean-François Hocquette. |
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French–Australian science collaboration
At AFRAN's Agricultural and Food Sciences Community event in April, ABARES Executive Director Dr Jared Greenville chaired a panel on transforming agri-food systems for sustainability, productivity, and food security.
The discussion at the French Embassy in Canberra covered the need to strengthen international collaboration while encouraging interdisciplinary approaches connecting agriculture, environment, economy and social sciences.
AFRAN – the Australian-French Association for Research and Innovation – aims to actively promote the development of cooperation between France and Australia in the areas of research and innovation.
The Agricultural and Food Sciences Community marks a major milestone in French–Australian scientific cooperation on agriculture, sustainable food systems, and climate resilience. |
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