Industry data
Agriculture industry statistics
The numbers behind Australian farming: what the industry produces, the people who work in it, the farm businesses that run it, the wheat and winter crop harvest, tractor sales and farm incomes. Each figure links to the agency or industry body that published it and shows the period it applies to.
Reviewed 17 October 2026
Key figures
- 100.3 billion dollars gross value of agriculture, fisheries and forestry production
- 71% of agricultural production was exported, by volume
- 247,000 people employed in agriculture, as estimated by the ABS Labour Force Survey
- 87,800 agricultural businesses, estimated in the final issue of a ceased ABS series
- 369 million hectares of agricultural land held by agricultural businesses, an ABS survey estimate
- 34.8 million tonnes of wheat sold by Australian growers, as estimated by the ABS from levy records
What Australian agriculture is worth
The value of farm production, how much of it is exported and which commodities make up the total, from ABARES. Some of these figures cover agriculture, fisheries and forestry together, and the text says so where they do. ABARES forecasts are marked as forecasts.
100.3 billion dollars
gross value of agriculture, fisheries and forestry production
Valued before processing: at farm-gate prices for agriculture, beached prices for fisheries and mill door or wharf gate prices for forestry. ABARES reports it as the second highest value on record in nominal terms.
Link to this figure45%
real growth in the gross value of agriculture, fisheries and forestry production
In 2024-25 dollars: from $69.3 billion in 2004-05 to $100.3 billion in 2024-25.
Link to this figure99.4 billion dollars
forecast gross value of agricultural production, excluding fisheries and forestry
ABARES forecast, September 2026, for agriculture only: a fall of 5% on 2025-26. Including fisheries and forestry, ABARES forecasts $105.6 billion, so do not compare this figure with the 2024-25 figure above, which includes them. It is a forecast, not a measured result.
Link to this figure76.3 billion dollars
forecast value of agricultural exports
ABARES forecast, September 2026: a fall of 5% on 2025-26, driven by lower livestock and crop production. It is a forecast, not a measured result.
Link to this figure| Commodity | Share of gross value |
|---|---|
| Cattle and calves | |
| Cereal grains | |
| Fruit and nuts | |
| Vegetables | |
| Sheep and lambs | |
| Oilseeds | |
| Milk | |
| Pulses | |
| Other horticulture | |
| Poultry | |
| Fisheries | |
| Hay and pasture crops | |
| Cotton | |
| Wool | |
| Sugar cane | |
| Pigs | |
| Other livestock products | |
| Forestry | |
| Wine grapes |
Each commodity's share of the gross value of agriculture, fisheries and forestry production. ABARES rounds the shares, so they do not add to exactly 100. Other livestock, at less than 1%, is not shown.
Link to this chartJobs in agriculture
How many people work in agriculture, from the ABS Labour Force Survey and the broader ABS Labour Account, as published by ABARES. ABARES notes that official statistics do not easily capture seasonal workers, labour hire workers or jobs beyond the farm gate.
247,000
people employed in agriculture, as estimated by the ABS Labour Force Survey
Average over the four quarters, from the ABS Labour Force Survey, as published by ABARES. Down 10.3% on the previous year and 11.6% on a decade earlier.
Link to this figure354,600
people employed in agriculture, counting secondary jobs and short-term non-residents
ABS Labour Account estimate, as published by ABARES: the average over the four quarters. Unlike the Labour Force Survey figure, it also counts secondary jobs and employed short-term non-residents. Down 0.2% on the previous year and 9.1% on a decade earlier.
Link to this figureFarms and farm businesses
How many farm businesses there are, where they are and how much land they hold. The counts come from different collections that measure different things, so each note says what is counted.
87,800
agricultural businesses, estimated in the final issue of a ceased ABS series
ABS survey estimate for businesses with an estimated value of agricultural operations of $40,000 or more, unchanged on 2021. From the final issue of the ABS Agricultural Commodities series, which the ABS has ceased.
Link to this figure369 million hectares
of agricultural land held by agricultural businesses, an ABS survey estimate
ABS survey estimate: the total area of holdings of the businesses counted above, down 5% on 2021.
Link to this figure53,400
broadacre and dairy farm businesses
ABARES estimate. Of these, 62% were livestock farms, 30% cropping farms and 8% dairy farms.
Link to this figure9%
fall in the number of broadacre farms
ABARES estimate, down from 59,000 farms in 2009-10. ABARES reports the largest fall among mixed livestock farms in the wheat-sheep zone, where there has been considerable amalgamation of farms into larger enterprises focused on cropping.
Link to this figure170,185
agriculture, forestry and fishing businesses trading
Actively trading businesses in ANZSIC division A, which covers forestry, fishing and support services as well as farming. Down 0.5% over the year, the only industry division to shrink.
Link to this figure12,608
agriculture, forestry and fishing businesses joined the ABS count of trading businesses
Businesses in ANZSIC division A that were actively trading at 30 June 2026 but not at 30 June 2025, including new registrations and businesses that resumed remitting GST or came into scope.
Link to this figure13,469
agriculture, forestry and fishing businesses left the ABS count of trading businesses
Businesses in ANZSIC division A that were actively trading at 30 June 2025 but not at 30 June 2026, including cancelled registrations and businesses that stopped lodging GST returns for an extended period.
Link to this figure| State or territory | Agricultural businesses |
|---|---|
| New South Wales | |
| Victoria | |
| Queensland | |
| South Australia | |
| Western Australia | |
| Tasmania | |
| Northern Territory | |
| Australian Capital Territory |
Survey estimates of businesses with an estimated value of agricultural operations of $40,000 or more, by state and territory, as displayed in the ABS data cube, which shows them to the nearest whole business.
Link to this chartWheat and the grain harvest
How much wheat and other winter crops Australian growers sell, where the wheat is grown and what ABARES forecasts for the winter crop harvest. The ABS figures count grain sold through the levy system, so grain kept on farm is left out and the totals are lower than total production. The ABARES figures are forecasts.
34.8 million tonnes
of wheat sold by Australian growers, as estimated by the ABS from levy records
Wheat for grain or seed sold through the levy system, up 24% on 2023-24. Grain used on farm, for example as livestock feed, is not counted, so this is lower than total production.
Link to this figure10.1 billion dollars
local value of wheat sold
The value of wheat sold, from levy payer records at the first point of sale. Up $1.3 billion on 2023-24.
Link to this figure12.7 million hectares
of wheat grown
Total crop area from satellite crop mapping, which counts crops whatever their final use; outside the mapped regions the ABS estimates area from levy records. Up 2.2 million hectares on 2023-24.
Link to this figure19,435
businesses sold wheat
Levy payers selling wheat, down 2% on 2023-24. The ABS has revised its 2024-25 counts of levy-paying businesses for winter crops to improve their accuracy; this is the figure in the current data cube.
Link to this figure61.1 million tonnes
of winter crops sold
Wheat, barley, canola, oats, chickpeas, faba beans, field peas, lentils and lupins sold through the levy system. Faba beans and field peas were published for the first time under the ABS's new levy-based method for 2024-25, so compare totals with earlier years with care.
Link to this figure61 million tonnes
forecast winter crop production
ABARES forecast, September 2026. It is a forecast, not a measured result: a fall of 12% on 2025-26, which ABARES says would still be the fourth largest winter crop on record. ABARES forecasts production, while the ABS tonnages above count only grain sold through the levy system, so the two are not directly comparable.
Link to this figure29.9 million tonnes
forecast wheat production
ABARES forecast, September 2026. It is a forecast, not a measured result: a fall of 17% on 2025-26, largely from an 11% fall in the area planted, and still 3% above the 10-year average to 2025-26.
Link to this figure| State or territory | Wheat sold |
|---|---|
| New South Wales | |
| Western Australia | |
| Victoria | |
| South Australia | |
| Queensland | |
| Tasmania | |
| Australian Capital Territory |
Thousands of tonnes. Wheat for grain or seed sold through the levy system. The Northern Territory recorded none in 2024-25.
Link to this chart| Crop | Sold |
|---|---|
| Wheat | |
| Barley | |
| Canola | |
| Chickpeas | |
| Oats | |
| Lentils | |
| Faba beans | |
| Lupins | |
| Field peas |
Thousands of tonnes, sold through the levy system. Faba beans and field peas were published for the first time under the ABS's new levy-based method for 2024-25.
Link to this chartTractors and farm machinery
Sales of tractors and harvest machinery, from the monthly report of the Tractor and Machinery Association, which represents importers, makers and sellers of farm machinery. The association gives some of its sales counts as approximate figures, and the notes say which.
800
tractors sold in the month, approximately
The TMA's approximate figure: around 800 machines, broadly in line with September 2025.
Link to this figure11%
fall in tractor sales compared with the same period last year
The TMA's year-to-date comparison.
Link to this figure700
combine harvesters sold over a full year, approximately
The TMA's approximate rolling 12-month figure: around 700 units, 4% ahead of the previous 12 months but down on earlier years. 200 were sold in September 2026, 80% more than in September 2025.
Link to this figure| State or territory | Fall in sales |
|---|---|
| New South Wales | |
| Queensland | |
| Western Australia | |
| South Australia | |
| Victoria | |
| Northern Territory | |
| Tasmania |
The TMA's year-to-date change for each state and territory it reports, compared with the same period a year earlier and shown here as a fall. Every one recorded a fall. The TMA table does not list the ACT. The TMA publishes these as negative percentage changes; the chart shows the size of each fall.
Link to this chartFarm incomes
What farms earn, from ABARES surveys of broadacre and dairy farms. ABARES measures farm cash income per farm business, not per person, and compares recent averages with longer-term averages.
$925,900
average farm cash income for specialist cropping farms
ABARES average for the wheat and other crops industry over the three years to 2024-25, in 2024-25 dollars, per farm business. The 2024-25 year in this average is an ABARES estimate, which shows cropping farm incomes rising.
Link to this figure$545,300
longer-term average farm cash income for specialist cropping farms
ABARES 10-year average for the wheat and other crops industry, in 2024-25 dollars, per farm business.
Link to this figureCommon questions
How big is the agriculture industry in Australia?
ABARES valued agriculture, fisheries and forestry production at 100.3 billion dollars , and the sector produced 2.2% of gross domestic product. Employment in agriculture averaged 247,000 .
What is the biggest agricultural industry in Australia?
By value, cattle and calves made up the largest share of production, followed by cereal grains and then fruit and nuts. Vegetables and sheep and lambs came next, with the same rounded share. The commodity chart above shows the share for each commodity.
How many farms are there in Australia?
The final issue of the ABS Agricultural Commodities series, now ceased, estimated 87,800 agricultural businesses that met its minimum size. ABARES estimates there were 53,400 broadacre and dairy farm businesses. The ABS count of actively trading businesses in agriculture, forestry and fishing stood at 170,185 , though the ABS notes that some actively trading businesses are not included in this count.
Where are most farms in Australia?
New South Wales had the most agricultural businesses in the final issue of the ABS Agricultural Commodities series, followed by Victoria and Queensland, as the state chart above shows. ABARES notes that grazing happens across most of the country, while cropping and horticulture are mostly found closer to the coast.
How many farmers are there in Australia?
The employment figures on this page count people employed in agriculture, not only farm owners and managers, though ABARES notes that official statistics do not easily capture seasonal and labour hire workers. Employment in agriculture averaged 247,000 . The broader ABS Labour Account, which also counts secondary jobs, put it at 354,600 .
How much wheat does Australia produce?
Australian growers sold 34.8 million tonnes of wheat, worth 10.1 billion dollars . That counts wheat sold through the levy system, so grain kept on farm is not included. ABARES forecasts wheat production of 29.9 million tonnes .
How big is Australia's grain harvest?
Growers sold 61.1 million tonnes of winter crops through the levy system, including wheat, barley, canola and pulses such as chickpeas and lentils. Grain kept on farm is not included. ABARES forecasts winter crop production of 61 million tonnes , which it expects to remain among the largest winter crops on record.
What is the average farm size in Australia?
In the final issue of the ABS Agricultural Commodities series, 87,800 agricultural businesses held 369 million hectares of agricultural land between them. The ABS does not publish an average farm size in that release, and this page does not work out an average.
Using these figures
You are welcome to quote any figure on this page. Please credit the original publisher named beside it, and link to this page if it saved you time. Each figure has its own link, so you can send readers straight to it.
How these figures are put together
Every figure on this page comes from the published source linked beside it and applies to the period shown with it. Figures are copied as published. Nothing is estimated, adjusted or combined from different sources.
Each figure is checked against its source when the page is reviewed, and the review date is shown at the top of the page. If a source publishes a newer figure before then, or you spot an error, let us know through the contact page.
Sources
- Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES): ABARES Insights: Snapshot of Australian Agriculture 2026 (Issue 1, February 2026). ABARES commodity statistics and farm surveys, and the ABS Labour Force Survey, Labour Account and national accounts. Published February 2026. Updates: Annual. Retrieved 17 October 2026.
- Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES): Agricultural Commodities Report, September quarter 2026. ABARES forecasts of the value, volume and price of agricultural production and exports to 2026-27. Updates: Quarterly. Retrieved 17 October 2026.
- Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES): Australian Crop Report, September 2026 (No. 219). ABARES forecasts of the area, yield and production of the major winter and summer broadacre crops. Updates: Quarterly, in March, June, September and December. Retrieved 17 October 2026.
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: Australian Agriculture: Broadacre Crops, 2024-25. Agricultural levy payer records, satellite crop mapping and industry harvest information. Winter crops were first released in March 2026; this release of 30 June 2026 adds summer crops and sugarcane. Updates: Annual, in stages: winter crops first, then summer crops and sugarcane. Retrieved 16 October 2026.
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: Agricultural Commodities, Australia, 2021-22 (final issue). 2021-22 Rural Environment and Agricultural Commodities Survey of businesses with an estimated value of agricultural operations of $40,000 or more, released 17 January 2023. Updates: Ceased. This was the final issue; the ABS now publishes the Australian Agriculture series instead. Retrieved 16 October 2026.
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: Counts of Australian Businesses, including Entries and Exits, July 2022 to June 2026 (data cube 1). ABS Business Register counts of actively trading businesses by industry division, released 18 August 2026. Updates: Annual. Industry division counts are released each August and industry class detail each December. Retrieved 16 October 2026.
- Tractor and Machinery Association of Australia (TMA): Big month for combine and baler deliveries in September (September 2026 sales report). TMA monthly machinery sales figures, published 9 October 2026. Updates: Monthly. Retrieved 16 October 2026.
More reading: Farm machinery finance: the complete guide for operators
Financing equipment for your business?
One form, and free quotes matched to your kind of asset. Business and commercial use only.