From the Australian Food News website 3 April:
The total value of Australian food production increased by 17 per cent in 2010-11, a new government report has revealed. (Report here)
Federal Government’s ‘Australian Food Statistics 2010-11′ report, published today, suggests that “generally favourable seasonal conditions” are largely to thank for the rise in food production during 2010-2011, despite floods in south-eastern Australia and a destructive cyclone in north Queensland.
The report also shows that employment in the food industry now accounts for 15 per cent of total employment in Australia.
According to the report, in 2010-11, more than 1.68 million people, from production through to food service, were employed in the Australian food industry, marking a two per cent increase in employment in the sector on the previous year.
Launching the report, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Joe Ludwig said, “As we celebrate the Australian Year of the Farmer in 2012, this report acknowledges the valuable role our primary producers play in Australian food production and supply.
Click here to read the full article on the Australian Food News website.