NSW Primary Industries Reach Record $26 Billion in Gross Production Value

Primary industries in New South Wales generated a record $26 billion in Gross Value of Production (GVP) for the 2025–26 period, Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW Tara Moriarty announced in State Parliament.

According to data from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), the sector grew by 4 per cent year-on-year, adding $1 billion over the previous record. The government attributed the performance to producer resilience, research, and biosecurity measures despite dry seasonal conditions and international market pressures.

The livestock sector drove much of the growth, increasing 25 per cent to $11.9 billion. This figure sat 32 per cent above its five-year average, supported by higher prices and record red meat production. Four individual livestock commodities—beef cattle, sheep meat, poultry, and wool—each surpassed $1 billion in value.

Cropping recorded a GVP of $9.8 billion, with wheat, cotton, oilseeds, barley, and pulses each exceeding $1 billion. Drier weather reduced total crop yield, but winter production reached 18.7 million tonnes, representing the fourth-highest winter output on record. Barley reached a record GVP of $1.1 billion due to strong production and export demand.

In other sectors, horticulture—which includes wine grapes—recorded a GVP of $3.7 billion, 10 per cent higher than its five-year average. Forestry accounted for $436 million, bolstered by softwood demand, while fisheries generated $226 million.

Total primary industry exports reached $13 billion, marking the second-highest result on record behind the $13.1 billion achieved in 2022–23. Livestock was the largest export category at $6.7 billion, followed by broadacre cropping at $5.8 billion and horticulture at $411 million. Beef exports rose 34 per cent to a record $3.7 billion, and sheep, lamb, and goat meat exports reached $1.7 billion. Wheat exports increased 4 per cent to $2 billion.

By destination, China remained the largest market, taking $3.8 billion in exports—a 6 per cent rise driven by beef, cotton, sorghum, and wool. Exports to the United States grew 40 per cent to $1.9 billion, supported by demand for red meat.

The NSW Government stated it is supporting the sector through initiatives including $28 million from the Regional Development Trust for emerging industries, more than $1 billion for biosecurity funding, and $100 million directed to research capabilities and infrastructure. Complete data will be published in the DPIRD Performance Data and Insights annual report in mid-November.

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