Browse Data and Analysis

The cotton production forecast for 2024/25 has been revised downward to 5.2 million bales, with the area unchanged at 2 million hectares.

In 2023, Australia's foodservice industry was worth A$59 billion (US$39.1 billion). However, rising inflation and the overall cost of living have hindered its growth in 2023 and 2024.

Milk production for 2025 in Australia is forecast to increase by 1.1 percent to 8.8 million metric tons (MMT) after strong growth of 2.7 percent for 2024 at an estimated 8.7 MMT from previous years of declining production.

In 2024, the Pakistan government issued revised Biosafety Rules and Regulations, creating a system to request genetically engineered (GE) commodity imports for food, feed, and processing (FFP). As of mid-October 2024, importers had submitted several applications to import GE soybeans for FFP.

The Australian federal government’s strong support for biotechnology is evident in its considerable long-term funding commitment to research and development. Despite the contentious nature of biotech in Australia, the federal government remains a strong proponent, investing heavily in research and development and approving various genetically engineered crops for commercial use.

Australian winter crops have had very challenging seasonal conditions for MY 2024/25, including low soil moisture at planting, below-average rainfall, and frost damage.

Australia’s table grape production is forecast to increase to 230,000 metric tons (MT) in marketing year (MY) 2024/25, the second largest on record, from an estimated 195,000 MT in MY 2023/24.

FAS China forecasts commercial production of in-shell walnuts to rebound 11 percent to 1.5 MMT in MY 2024/25 supported by favorable growing conditions in major production areas. Improved world supplies and changing dietary concepts will likely drive nut imports to continue rising.

With the outlook for the sugar industry largely unchanged from the previous report, no significant changes are made to the supply and demand tables.

No significant changes were made to the 2024/25 wheat supply and demand forecasts. Wheat imports and exports remain banned. The 2024/25 rice production forecast is unchanged at a record 10 million tons.

Australia and the United Arab Emirates announced that negotiations on a new trade agreement, the Australia-United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, have concluded.

Australia is experiencing a cost-of-living crisis due to rising inflation. Consumer behavior and societal trends are driving shifts in shopping habits. Meanwhile, sustainability, waste reduction, food integrity, and healthy eating are key factors influencing product choices.