Grains Industry Strategy

Grain production in Victoria is at historically high levels with growers producing a record winter grain crop of 5.8 million tonnes (Mt) in 2003/04, exceeding the previous record harvest of 5.7 Mt set in 2000/01. Wheat represents about 50 per cent of Victoria’s grain production. Together with barley, cereal production represents 80 per cent of broadacre crops grown in Victoria. However, in the past two decades the oilseeds and pulses industries have also grown rapidly, rising from just one per cent of Victoria’s grain crop in 1980 to almost 20 per cent now. Today a thriving canola industry and emerging pulse industries underpin sustainable grain production in most areas.

Victoria grows 15 per cent of Australia’s winter grain crops, of which 40 per cent is used domestically, compared with 20 per cent of the national crop. The strong domestic base of the Victorian industry and the diversified mix of crops provides greater opportunity to access developing markets outside traditional grain commodities.

Eighty per cent of Victorian grain is produced in the Mallee and Wimmera, but over the past decade there has also been a major expansion of grain production in the high rainfall region of South West Victoria. Increased productivity and diversification of crops in traditional areas and expansion into new cropping areas will be the most visible change in the grains industry in coming years.

The grains industry contributed nearly 17 per cent of Victoria’s gross value of agricultural production in 2001-02, and in 2003-04 it accounted for 30 per cent of the State’s direct agricultural exports. The buoyant outlook for grains productivity and new grains products should see the value and share of exports continue to increase.

Priorities for Action: Victoria's Grains Industry 2005-2008

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