Australia
February 18, 2011

The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) has begun a survey, which will help the nation’s more than $3 billion vegetable-growing industry plan for the future.

ABARES’ Deputy Executive Director, Paul Morris, said measuring the financial performance of Australia’s vegetable-growing farms was important to the industry’s future.

“By gauging the financial performance of the industry, we can contribute to the ongoing progress of Australia’s vegetable-growing industry,” Mr Morris said.

“Our ABARES survey will collect information about production, financial performance and socio-economic characteristics of growers, which will help decision-makers in government and industry to build a greater understanding of how the industry is developing over time.

“The vegetable industry is important to the Australian economy, with an estimated gross value of production of around $3.3 billion in 2009-10 and contributing around 7 per cent to Australia’s gross value of agricultural production.

“It is essential that both industry and government can get accurate information to ensure industry research and development initiatives are effectively targeted.

“I strongly encourage growers to participate in this important initiative.”

ABARES conducts the vegetable-industry survey annually. It is funded by Horticulture Australia Limited (HAL) using the vegetable levy and matched funding from the Australian Government.

As part of the project, ABARES field collectors will conduct face-to-face interviews with growers. All information provided will remain confidential and survey findings will not identify individuals or their businesses.

The 2011 survey began on 16 February and is expected to be completed by mid-June. The results will be released in September 2011.

Results from the first three surveys of vegetable growers are on the ABARES website www.abares.gov.au.

Website: http://www.abares.gov.au

Published: February 18, 2011