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South Australian Food ScoreCard 2008-09

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1. Overview - Food ScoreCard results for 2008/09

The past year has witnessed significant pressures on South Australia’s Food industry, including dramatically reduced commodity prices in grains, reduced demand in seafood and dairy markets flowing from the global economic crisis (GEC), ongoing drought conditions over the past 5 years across parts of the State, continued low water allocations along the River Murray, and sharply fluctuating foreign exchange rates.  Despite these pressures, the key ‘headline’ measures of Gross Food Revenue; Exports (overseas); and Finished Foods have all improved steadily over the year, demonstrating a remarkable resilience in the performance of South Australia’s food chains.
 
Table 1 shows how each of the industries making up the SA Food industry contributed to results over 2008/09. Declines in primary production are distinguished from growth in secondary food finishing, total exports and consumption - culminating in a new record level high value for Gross Food Revenue of $12.4 billion.

Table 1: SA Food ScoreCard Summary, 2008/09 

Industry Farm Gate Value Processed
Food Value		 Overseas & Interstate Exports Retail & Food Service Net Food Revenue Gross Food Revenue % Growth GFR 2007/08 - 2008/09
Field Crops 952 854 1,149 1,840 2,917 3,289 4%
Livestock 1,057 1,713 1,336 2,180 3,184 3,515 16%
Dairy 251 291 168 649 565 817 7%
Horticulture 536 929 539 1,863 2,045 2,403 6%
Seafood 416 506 435 356 536 791 0%
Other - 135 84 1,460 631 1,544 18%
Total 3,212 4,428 4,011 8,347 9,877 12,359 9%
$ Value change from 2007-08 -145 23 326 707 478 1,034  
% Growth 2007-08, 2008-09 

 -4%

 1%

 9%

 9%

 5%

 9%

 

Ave Annual Growth since 2000

 2%

 3%

 2%

 6%

 4%

 5%

  

Highlights for the 2008/09 Food ScoreCard include:

  • Overseas Export at a 7 year high, with growth of $359m (up 18%) to reach $2.4 billion – the second highest level on record;
  • Overseas Finished Food Exports grew by $114m (9% ) to reach a record level of $1.3 billion;
  • Finished Foods growth of $23m (up 1%) to maintain a record level of $4.4 billion; 
  • Food Employment up by 7,200 (5%) to reach a record level of 146,000 jobs;
  • Gross Food Revenue growth of $1.0 billion (up 9%) to reach a record $12.4 billion.

However, a moderate decline was evident in primary production over the year, with farm gate values down by 4% to $3.2 billion. The fall in agricultural output is largely attributable to declining world grain prices and ongoing poor seasonal conditions.  Nevertheless, it remains significant that the variability in primary production is not evident in the higher value end of the chain, including: finished foods and their associated exports, or indeed, final domestic consumption.  

For further information contact:
Jack Langberg, PIRSA Industry Development & Renewal Group on 8204 9571 or jack.langberg@sa.gov.au