Tasmania has been identified as one of Australian agriculture’s strongest success stories, with decades of sustained and diversified growth across multiple sectors, according to a new industry report.
The report, Gearing up for mature growth in Tasmanian agriculture by Rabobank’s RaboResearch division, highlights that agriculture remains central to the state’s economy, ranking as the second-largest contributor to gross state product after health care.
Between 2012/13 and 2022/23, the value of Tasmanian farmgate production (excluding seafood) grew at an average of 6.5 per cent per year. This expansion has been driven by investment in irrigation and supply chains, enabling productivity gains across livestock, dairy, horticulture and aquaculture.
Key highlights include:
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Tasmania has nearly doubled its milk pool over the past three decades, even as national milk production declined.
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The state remains Australia’s leading vegetable producer.
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Tasmania is the country’s top cherry-producing region, contributing 31 per cent of output in 2023/24.
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It is also the largest producer of Atlantic salmon, accounting for more than 90 per cent of national supply.
The report emphasises that Tasmania’s combination of irrigation access, natural advantages and sector diversity has underpinned its resilience and long-term growth, positioning the state for continued success in agriculture.
