In 2019/20, the horticulture industry exceeded $15 billion in production value with the vegetable category making up 32 per cent of total value. During this period, vegetable production value increased year-on-year by three per cent from $4,724 million in 2018/19 to $4,851 million in 2019/20.

The top five industries in terms of production value are currently potatoes ($716 million), tomatoes ($584 million), leafy salad vegetables ($408 million), mushrooms ($368 million) and broccoli/baby broccoli ($288 million).

Although the vegetable category performed well in domestic markets during 2019/20, export volume decreased by 11 per cent, while export value decreased by 6 per cent. This was a result of higher domestic prices and disruptions to supply chains.

Hort Innovation Head of Data and Insights Adam Briggs said, “In 2019/20, we saw higher domestic prices for the vegetable category coupled with interruptions to supply chains from COVID, which contributed to growers pulling away from export markets”.

Despite the overall decrease in export volume and value, there were several industries that achieved double-figure year-on-year export value growth including capsicums (74 per cent), sweetpotatoes (55 per cent), pumpkins (36 per cent), beans (19 per cent) and beetroot (19 per cent).

Hort Innovation has recently launched the latest Australian Horticulture Statistics Handbook which offers the most comprehensive and contemporary data available on all sectors of the Australian horticulture industry in one easy-to-read-guide.

More information

• See the Horticulture Statistics Handbook on the Hort Innovation website.