Organic farming set to fly in 2010-2011
With the new financial year upon us, business information research and analysis group IBISWorld has compiled its annual list of Australian industries set to fly and fall in the next 12 months. According to IBISWorld, organic farming will be the biggest winner in 2010-2011 as Australians consider the health benefits and environmental impacts of their food choices.Whereas most of the world’s developed nations remain bogged down by the fallout from the ongoing global financial crisis, Australia’s outlook for the new financial year is relatively positive says IBISWorld, with it forecasting Australia’s economic growth to reach 3.7% in 2010-2011.
Organic farmingRevenue growth: +15.1%; total revenue: $0.45 billion; employment growth: +2.0%
IBISWorld forecasts that ever-increasing health concerns, greater awareness of environmental sustainability, higher disposable incomes and the availability of a wider range of organic produce will support phenomenal growth in Australia’s organic farming industry, which currently accounts for less than 1% of the total value of grains, meat, horticulture and dairy production in the country.
“Big business is jumping aboard the organic farming bandwagon,” said IBISWorld General Manager (Australia) Mr Robert Bryant. “For example, recently international heavyweights McDonald’s and Unilever made bold moves to become more environmentally friendly and ethically sound by sourcing coffee and tea respectively from plantations accredited by American environmental organisation Rainforest Alliance while Coles supermarkets have their own private-label organic brand.”
Overlander.tv has decided to put their entire Organic Farming Program on youtube. The program will be divided into shorter videos representing various aspects of how to farm organically. The video covers such diverse farming enterprises as organic cattle, sheep, poultry, pigs, grain, wine, fruit and vegetables.
http://www.overlander.tv/2010/organic-farming-video-now-on-youtube/
Thank you for this article. I think it is great that families are aware of the benefits not only in health but also taste in organic products. One food item that I have found very good to “taste” the difference is with carrots. Just a starting point but you may find it quite noticeable.
On your point of the expected growth in Organic Farming in Australia vs. the economic down turn in other parts of the world, I feel that subsidised farming did not help the Organic farmers in the U.K as the price was strong but producers were supported by government subsidies to produce Organic produce. This meant economically unviable farming practices and with economic down turn people did not have the money to spend on more expensive organic produce. I think the Australian economy is far stronger than that of the U.K at the moment, you only need to look at the exchange rates, and that I feel that there is a huge place for Organic produces within Australia. My only wish is that the government stays out of subsidising any of it and people vote with their feet in the shops, going to farmers markets and with this market sound business practices prevail with the farmers.
Benji –
The Margaret River Guide