Australia can play an important role in meeting Malaysia’s food consumption and demand for food processing inputs, according to a new ABARE report.The report, ‘Changing food consumption and imports in Malaysia: Opportunities for Australian agricultural exports’ was released today by Phillip Glyde, Executive Director of ABARE. “With continued income and population growth, Malaysian food consumption is shifting away from starchy staples such as rice and cassava and more toward... ...Read more »

International and local dairy experts have warned that dairy farmers must be rewarded for developing and implementing sustainability initiatives if the industry is to overcome the challenges of climate change.The advice comes from dairy industry leaders who attended a forum hosted by the NSW Dairy Industry Conference and Milk Marketing NSW earlier this month in Sydney, where a commitment was made to the development of a ‘Climate Change Road Map’, modeled on UK and USA examples. Mr George... ...Read more »

Australian wine grape production is forecast to increase by 19 per cent to 1.67 million tonnes in 2007-08, as a result of improved growing conditions in key production areas, according to a new ABARE report - ‘Australian Wine Grape Production Projections to 2009-10′. “Forecast production in 2007-08 is higher than early-season estimates because of greater than expected resilience of vines suffering from drought stress, and water purchasing by growers in drought-affected... ...Read more »

With debate raging about the true benefits of GM crops, the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ABARE) has released a report indicating that significant economic benefits to Australia’s regional economies will result from their use. Australian legislation ensures that most GM crops are banned and there are currently no whole GM fruits, vegetables or cereals in the Australian marketplace. GM cotton farming, though, is now allowed in Australia with GM canola legal... ...Read more »