Northern Territory rural industry and fisheries
Economic Outlook 2014
APRIL 2014
Overview
The rural and fisheries industry in the Northern Territory include cattle (interstate and live export),
other livestock (buffalo, crocodiles and horses), horticulture (fruit, vegetables, nursery and cut
flowers) and mixed farming (field crops, hay and seeds, and forestry). The fisheries industry
comprises harvesting of wild catch (including the Northern Prawn Fleet) and aquaculture. A
substantial recreational fishing sector generates tourism activity and provides lifestyle amenity.
The percentage contribution of each industry to the rural and fisheries total is illustrated in
Figure 1, with the cattle, fisheries and horticulture industries being the major players.
Figure 1: Contribution of Industry to Sector Production Value, 2013-14
Other Livestock
3.4%
Mixed farming
2.5%
Fisheries
10.3%
Horticulture
20.7%
Cattle
63.1%
Source: Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries data collections
Rural and fisheries industry have significant links to other sectors of the Territory economy such
as manufacturing, transport and storage, retail and wholesale trade. These industries are vital in
regional areas, providing economic stimulus and employment for approximately 1,100 persons in
2013-14 (ABS). This labour force estimate is subject to very high sampling variability. They also
account for a significant proportion of the Territory's non-mineral export revenue. Territory rural
industries and fisheries accounted for 2.1% of Gross State Product (GSP) in 2013-14, below the
national proportion of 2.3% (Table 1). Exports of Territory rural and fisheries produce are
dominated by live cattle exports (mainly to Indonesia), aquaculture, fishing, forestry and to a
lesser extent agriculture services.
In 2013-14, the total estimated value of rural industry and fisheries production was $521.2
million, a decrease of 18.8% over the previous year, a result reflective of the challenging
conditions for NT horticultural industries and fisheries (see Figure 2). The decrease is primarily
due to a 50.3% decrease in the production value of horticulture to $107.7 million (driven by the
banana freckle response, lower prices, and impact of a poor wet season and average dry
season), a 22.4% decrease in fisheries production to $53.5 million (driven by the wild stock catch
and aquaculture output), a 13.9% fall in other livestock production (mainly crocodile production)
to $17.9 million. These were offset by a 2.0% increase in the value of cattle production to $328.8
million and by a 2.3% increase in the value of field crops to $13.3 million.
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Economic Outlook 2014
Table 1: Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Contribution to GSP by State
2013-14
Tasmania
South Australia
Victoria
Western Australia
Queensland
Northern Territory
New South Wales
Australian Capital Territory
Australia (% of GDP)
% Contribution to
GSP
7.3%
5.5%
2.6%
2.6%
2.3%
2.1%
1.2%
0.1%
2.3%
Source: ABS 5220.0
Figure 2: Northern Territory Rural Industry and Fisheries Production Value
$ million
900
800
700
600
Mixed farming
Other Livestock
Fisheries
Horticulture
Cattle
500
400
300
200
100
0
Source: Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries data collections
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Economic Outlook 2014
Table 2: Gross Value of Territory Rural Industry and Fisheries Production ($ million)
Value of horticultural production ($ million)
2010-11
2011-12
Mangoes
45.4
80.0
Table Grapes
1.6
6.5
Bananas
4.3
11.4
Melons
46.4
59.7
Other fruits
1.2
3.5
Vegetables
22.6
20.7
Turf
0.0
0.0
Nursery & Cut Flowers
17.2
16.7
Total
138.7
198.4
2012-13
69.4
1.7
5.4
63.7
0.6
59.9
0.0
16.2
216.8
2013-14
35.0
0.0
0.0
34.0
3.6
16.1
1.5
17.4
107.7
2014-15f
36.1
0.0
0.0
35.1
0.6
16.6
2.5
17.9
108.7
2015-16f
37.2
0.0
0.0
36.1
0.6
17.1
3.5
18.5
112.9
Value of fisheries production ($ million)
2010-11
2011-12
Fish
24.6
25.7
Crustaceans
7.8
8.2
Aquaculture
26.6
17.2
Molluscs & Echinoderms
0.2
0.2
Total NT Fisheries
59.2
51.3
Crustaceans-NPF
17.4
15.2
Total Fisheries
76.7
66.5
2012-13
27.7
6.4
25.3
0.01
59.4
9.5
68.9
2013-14
23.4
4.2
15.2
0.2
43.0
10.5
53.5
2014-15f
24.1
4.3
15.6
0.0
44.1
10.9
55.0
2015-16f
24.8
4.5
16.1
0.0
45.4
11.4
56.8
Value of cattle, other livestock and mixed farming ($ million)
2010-11
2011-12
2012-13
2013-14
Cattle
326.3
329.8
322.2
328.8
Other Livestock
10.7
22.5
20.8
17.9
Field crops
19.0
14.6
13.0
13.3
Forestry
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
Total
356.0
366.9
356.0
360.0
2014-15f
318.0
18.5
13.7
0.0
350.1
2015-16f
330.7
19.1
14.1
0.0
363.8
Total Northern Territory Rural Industry and Fisheries Production Value ($ million)
2010-11
2011-12
2012-13
2013-14
2014-15f
Horticulture
138.7
198.4
216.8
107.7
108.7
Fisheries
76.7
66.5
68.9
53.5
55.0
Cattle
326.3
329.8
322.2
328.8
318.0
Other Livestock
10.7
22.5
20.8
17.9
18.5
Field crops
19.0
14.6
13.0
13.3
13.7
Forestry
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
Grand Total
571.4
631.9
641.7
521.2
513.9
2015-16f
112.9
56.8
330.7
19.1
14.1
0.0
533.5
Source: Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries data collections, f = forecast
Please note all figures here have been rounded respectively and may not tally to totals.
NPF = Northern Prawn Fleet (Commonwealth-managed fishery)
Forecasting Notes
(1) Recent production has been lower than average due to poor wet and dry seasons and the banana freckle response.
Forecasts for mangoes and other fruits are based on below average annual prices and yields.
(2) No forecasts for bananas due to on-going banana freckle eradication program.
(3) No table grape forecast as the industry recovers due to adverse seasonal conditions impacting on existing
farms in 2012-13.
(4) Vegetable production increase in 2012-13 was stimulated by excess demand. Forecasts are based on returns to average
yields and prices based on 2013-14 production.
Please use this data from 1 May 2015 to 31 May 2016 only.
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Economic Outlook 2014
Table 3: Gross Value of Territory Rural Industry and Fisheries Production (Percentage changes)
Mangoes
Table Grapes
Bananas
Melons
Other fruits
Vegetables
Turf
Nursery & Cut Flowers
Total
10-11 to 11-12
%
76.2%
297.9%
163.1%
28.5%
193.9%
-8.2%
0.0%
-2.9%
43.0%
11-12 to 12-13
%
-13.2%
-74.1%
-52.4%
6.8%
-84.0%
188.9%
0.0%
-3.1%
9.3%
12-13 to 13-14
%
-49.5%
-100.0%
-100.0%
-46.6%
550.5%
-73.1%
0.0%
7.7%
-50.3%
Fish
Crustaceans
Aquaculture
Molluscs & Echinoderms
Total NT Fisheries
Crustaceans - NPF
Total Fisheries
10-11 to 11-12
%
4.6%
4.4%
-35.3%
-4.6%
-13.3%
-12.9%
-13.2%
11-12 to 12-13
%
7.8%
-22.5%
46.9%
0.0%
15.7%
-37.3%
3.6%
12-13 to 13-14
%
-15.5%
-33.6%
-39.9%
0.0%
-27.6%
10.3%
-22.4%
Cattle
Other Livestock
Field crops
Forestry
10-11 to 11-12
%
1.1%
109.9%
-22.9%
0.0%
11-12 to 12-13
%
-2.3%
-7.5%
-11.3%
0.0%
12-13 to 13-14
%
2.0%
-13.9%
2.3%
0.0%
Horticulture
Fisheries
Cattle
Other Livestock
Field crops
Forestry
Total
10-11 to 11-12
%
43.0%
-13.2%
1.1%
109.9%
-22.9%
0.0%
10.6%
11-12 to 12-13
%
9.3%
3.6%
-2.3%
-7.5%
-11.3%
0.0%
1.6%
12-13 to 13-14
%
-50.3%
-22.4%
2.0%
-13.9%
2.3%
0.0%
-18.8%
Source: Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries data collections
NPF = Northern Prawn Fleet (Commonwealth-managed fishery)
Please use this data from 1 May 2015 to 1 May 2016 only.
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Economic Outlook 2014
Acknowledgements
The important contributions made by staff of the Department of Primary Industry and
Fisheries are gratefully acknowledged.
The author would like to thank the following staff:
Biosecurity and Product Integrity: Adele Kluth, Dick Morton
Pastoral Production: Arthur Cameron, Casey Collier, Ben Beumer
Plant Industries: Stuart Smith, Megan Connelly
Fisheries Group: Glenn Schipp, Murray Barton, Hock Seng Lee
Prepared by: Michael Jean
Contact Details
Michael Jean
Senior Economist
Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries
Department of Mines and Energy
GPO Box 3000, DARWIN NT 0801 Australia
Telephone: +61 8 8999 2242
Email: michael.jean@nt.gov.au
Disclaimer
While all care has been taken to ensure that information contained in this document is true and correct at the time of
publication, changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of its information.
The Northern Territory of Australia gives no warranty or assurance, and makes no representation as to the accuracy of
any information or advice contained in this publication, or that it is suitable for your intended use.
You should not rely upon information in this publication for the purpose of making any serious, business or investment
decisions without obtaining independent and/or professional advice in relation to your particular situation.
The Northern Territory of Australia disclaims any liability or responsibility or duty of care towards any person for loss or
damage caused by any use of or reliance on the information contained in this publication.
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