The National Australia Bank (NAB) in its latest Rural Commodities Outlook  wrap  issued on 22 December 2011 has reported that apart from the weakening global economy, there is also a very strong production response hitting world agricultural commodity markets. Australian rural production  is on track for  massive winter crops in 2012 because of good rains adding to downward pressure on prices.  At  the same time, sugar and cotton production growth in Australia have also been part of the general... ...Read more »

Australian-based global winemaking and distribution business Treasury Wine Estates Limited, formerly owned by Australian brewer Foster’s Group Limited, today announced first year profits of A$64.4 million. In its first full year report since demerging from Foster’s in May 2010, Treasury Wine Estates reports earnings that have continued to grow for the third consecutive half. David Dearie, Chief Executive Officer of TWE said, “This is a solid result, our first since we became a standalone... ...Read more »

Water resources are not capable of making the northern regions of Australia the new food bowl of South-East Asia, according to a new study from the CSIRO. There has been great hope for northern Australia to become the new hub of agricultural activity in the nation as drought continues to hamper a number of leading agricultural regions in NSW, Victoria and South Australia. However, the CSIRO has dampened such plans with a new study showing this area to be “water limited” thanks to high... ...Read more »