SHADOW Minister for Agriculture Brendan Moylan has applauded the state’s cropping sector for once again leading the way on growth and productivity, farm income and export value growth.
Figures from the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences show cropping has played a huge part in recent record-breaking years in Australian agriculture, fisheries and forestry.
In 2024-25, cereal grains accounted for 17 per cent of total agricultural production – second only to cattle and calves at 19 per cent – and export numbers have been growing by around nine per cent per year for the last 20 years.
Mr Moylan said the report shows the strength of the Australian cropping industry and a willingness of farmers to continue investing and moving with the times.
“The ABARES report shows the hard work and resilience of our farmers to stay competitive in tough global markets,” Mr Moylan said.
“Not only has the cropping sector made extraordinary increases in productivity but the entire agricultural, fisheries and forestry industry has grown exponentially over the last 20 years, passing the $100 billion mark in 2024-25.
“Australia’s winter crop production in 2025-26 was the second largest on record with many markets experiencing which shows what an incredible job our grain growers are doing to help power our country’s economy.
“Cereal growers are delivering record outputs, supporting regional jobs, and driving the economy, yet the NSW Government is falling behind,” he said.
“Farmers are still burdened with unnecessary red and green tape, and support for growers experiencing ongoing drought, is nowhere near the level needed to sustain this growth.
“While our farmers are leading the way, it’s clear the state government could do a lot more to cut bureaucratic barriers and invest in practical measures that let producers get on with their jobs.
“That growth and dominance will have a flow-on effect in our regional areas with more jobs supported to continue to keep up with the demand.
“I congratulate everyone involved in the agriculture industry in NSW for their achievements, these are the people powering regional communities and the state’s economy.
“Agriculture will continue to be the cornerstone and powerhouse of the NSW economy into the future,” Mr Moylan said.
