Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in the Launceston and North East Region of Tasmania, 2015

Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in the Launceston and North East region of Tasmania, 2015

Research by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences About my region 15.44 April 2015 Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in the Launceston and North East region of Tasmania, 2015 ABARES

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ISBN 978-1-74323-111-1 ABARES project 43009

Internet Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in the Launceston and North region of Tasmania 2015 is available at agriculture.gov.au/abares. Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) Postal address GPO Box 858 Canberra ACT 2601 Switchboard +61 2 6272 3933 Facsimile +61 2 6272 2001 Email [email protected] Web agriculture.gov.au/abares Inquiries about the licence and any use of this document should be sent to [email protected]. The Australian Government acting through the Department of Agriculture, represented by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences, has exercised due care and skill in preparing and compiling the information and data in this publication. Notwithstanding, the Department of Agriculture, ABARES, its employees and advisers disclaim all liability, including for negligence and for any loss, damage, injury, expense or cost incurred by any person as a result of accessing, using or relying upon information or data in this publication to the maximum extent permitted by law. Acknowledgements ABARES relies on the voluntary cooperation of farmers participating in the annual Australian Agricultural and Grazing Industries Survey, Australian Dairy Industry Survey, and Australian Vegetable Growing Farms Survey to provide data used in the preparation of this report. Without their help, these surveys would not be possible. ABARES farm survey staff collected most of the information presented in this report through on-farm interviews with farmers. This regional profile was updated by Therese Thompson, Peter Martin, Haydn Valle, Timothy Connolly, Kasia Mazur, Lucy Randall and Sharan Singh. Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in the Launceston and North East region of Tasmania, 2015 ABARES

Contents

iii Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in the Launceston and North East region of Tasmania, 2015 ABARES

1) Regional overview

The Launceston and North East region of Tasmania is located in the north-east of the state and includes Flinders Island (Map 1). The region comprises the eight local government areas of Break O’Day, Dorset, Flinders, George Town, Launceston, Meander Valley, Northern Midlands and West Tamar, and the major regional towns of Launceston, Campbell Town and St Marys. The region covers a total area of around 20 000 square kilometres or 29 per cent of Tasmania’s total area and is home to approximately 137 600 people (ABS 2011).

Agricultural land in the Launceston and North East region occupies 7550 square kilometres, or 38 per cent of the region. Areas classified as conservation and natural environments (nature conservation, protected areas and minimal use) occupy 6830 square kilometres, or 34 per cent of the region. The most common land use by area is grazing modified pasture, which occupies 4900 square kilometres or 25 per cent of the Launceston and North East region.

Map 1 Broad agricultural land use of the Launceston and North East region of Tasmania

Source: Catchment scale land use of Australia – update March 2014 (ABARES, 2014) Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in the Launceston and North East region of Tasmania, 2015 ABARES

Map 2 Agricultural industries of the Launceston and North East region of Tasmania

Source: Catchment scale land use of Australia – update March 2014 (ABARES, 2014) Employment

Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data from the 2014 Labour Force Survey indicate that around 66 300 people were employed in the Launceston and North East region. The Launceston and North East region accounts for 28 per cent of total employment in Tasmania and 34 per cent of all people employed in the Tasmanian agriculture, forestry and fishing sector.

Health care and social assistance was the largest employing sector with 8200 people followed by retail trade with 7600 people (Figure 1). Other important employment sectors in the region were education and training (6700 people), manufacturing (5600 people) and accommodation and food services (5300 people). The agriculture, forestry and fishing sector employed 4600 people, representing 7 per cent of the region’s workforce.

5 Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in the Launceston and North East region of Tasmania, 2015 ABARES

Figure 1 Employment profile, Launceston and North East region, November 2014

Health Care and Social Assistance Retail Trade Education and Training Manufacturing Accommodation and Food Services Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Construction Transport, Postal and Warehousing Professional, Scientific and Technical Services Other Services Administrative and Support Services Public Administration and Safety Wholesale Trade Financial and Insurance Services Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services Information Media and Telecommunications Arts and Recreation Services Mining

Employed total ('000 ) - 2 4 6 8 10

Note: Annual average of the preceding 4 quarters. Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, cat. no. 6291.0, Labour Force, Australia Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in the Launceston and North East region of Tasmania, 2015 ABARES

2) Agriculture sector

Value of agricultural production

In 2012–13, the gross value of agricultural production (GVAP) in the Launceston and North East region was $446 million, which was 38 per cent of the total gross value of agricultural production in Tasmania ($1.2 billion). This is the most recent year for which ABS data are available.

The Launceston and North East region has a diverse and important agricultural sector. The most important commodity in the Launceston and North East region based on the gross value of agricultural production was milk (Figure 2). In 2012–13, milk contributed 22 per cent ($99 million) to the value of agricultural production in the region. Cattle and calves accounted for 17 per cent ($75 million); potatoes accounted for 11 per cent ($51 million); wool 9 per cent ($40 million), sheep and lambs 6 per cent ($27 million) and hay 4 per cent ($20 million).

In 2012–13, the Launceston and North East region accounted for around 94 per cent of the total value of the state’s triticale, 84 per cent of the total value of canola and 74 per cent of the total value of hay.

Figure 2 Value of agricultural production, Launceston and North East region, Tasmania, 2012–13

Milk Cattle and calves Potatoes Wool Sheep and lambs Hay Fruit and nuts (excluding grapes) Wine grapes Onions Carrots Wheat Eggs Strawberries Cherries Barley Beans Other

$m 20 40 60 80 100 120

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, cat. no. 7503.0, Value of agricultural commodities produced, Australia

Number and type of farms

ABS data indicate that in 2012–13 there were 1453 farms in the Launceston and North West region with an estimated value of agricultural operations of more than $5000 (Table 1). The region contains 25 per cent of all farm businesses in Tasmania.

Table 1 Number of farms, by industry classification, 2012–13 Industry Classification Launceston and North East region Tasmania no. % no. % Beef Cattle 366 25 1 090 28 Sheep 219 15 555 14 Mixed livestock 169 12 287 7 Dairy 162 11 453 12 Vegetable 93 6 317 8 Fruit and nuts 75 5 268 7 Other Crop growing 55 4 145 4 Other livestock 27 2 74 2 Mixed grains and livestock 20 1 25 1 Grain growing 18 1 36 1 Other 240 17 606 15 Total Agriculture 1 453 100 3 935 100 Note: Estimated value of agricultural operations greater than $5000. Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics

Farms are classified in Table 1 according to the activities that generate most of their value of production. Beef cattle farms (366 farms) were the most common, accounting for 25 per cent of all farms in the Launceston and North West region, and 34 per cent of all mixed livestock farms in Tasmania.

There is a large percentage of small farms in the region in terms of their value of agricultural output. Estimated value of agricultural operations (EVAO) is a measure of the value of production from farms and a measure of their business size. Around 41 per cent of farms in the Launceston and North West region had an EVAO of less than $50 000 (Figure 3). These farms accounted for only 3 per cent of the total value of agricultural operations in 2012–13. In comparison, 26 per cent of farms in the region had an EVAO of more than $350 000 and accounted for an estimated 81 per cent of the total value of agricultural operations in the region. Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in the Launceston and North East region of Tasmania, 2015 ABARES

Figure 3 Distribution of farms by estimated value of agricultural operations, Launceston and North West region, Tasmania 2012–13 50

% < $50k $50k to $150k $150k to $350k $350k to $500k $500k to $1 m > $1 m Share of farms Share of value of agricultural operations

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics Farm financial performance—Tasmania

Each year, ABARES interviews Australian broadacre, dairy and vegetable producers as part of its annual survey program. Broadacre industries covered in this survey include the grains, grains– livestock, sheep, beef and sheep–beef industries. The information collected is a basis for analysing the current financial position of farms in these industries and expected changes in the short term. This paper uses data from the ABARES Australian agricultural and grazing industries survey (AAGIS), Australian dairy industry survey (ADIS), and Australian vegetable growing industry survey to report estimates of financial performance indicators (Box 1) for broadacre, dairy and vegetable farms in Tasmania.

Box 1 Definitions

Major financial performance indicators  Total cash receipts: total revenues received by the business during the financial year.  Total cash costs: payments made by the business for materials and services and for permanent and casual hired labour (excluding owner manager, partner and family labour).  Farm cash income: total cash receipts – total cash costs  Farm business profit: farm cash income + changes in trading stocks – depreciation – imputed labour costs  Profit at full equity: return produced by all the resources used in the business, farm business profit + rent + interest + finance lease payments – depreciation on leased items  Rate of return: return to all capital used, profit at full equity * 100 / total opening capital  Equity ratio: Farm capital minus farm debt expressed as a percentage of farm capital Industry types  Grains: farms mainly engaged in producing broadacre crops such as wheat, coarse grains, oilseeds and pulses, and including farms running sheep and/or beef cattle in conjunction with substantial broadacre crop activity.  Sheep: farms mainly engaged in running sheep.  Beef: farms mainly engaged in running beef cattle.  Dairy: farms mainly engaged in milk production.  Vegetable: farms mainly engaged in growing vegetables.

Performance of broadacre farms—Tasmania Tasmanian broadacre farm cash incomes are projected to increase to average $104 000 a farm in 2014–15 (Figure 4 and Table 2), as a result of higher beef cattle, lamb, wool and crop receipts. Receipts from crops are projected to increase by around 5 per cent, with the largest increase in receipts from oilseed poppies, vegetables and a range of other horticultural and vegetable crops. While receipts are expected to increase, average total cash costs are expected to decline resulting from reduced expenditure on fuel, interest payments and livestock purchases and despite increased expenditure on contracts and hired labour.

Figure 4 Real farm cash income, broadacre industries, average per farm

160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 2014–15 $’000

Australia Tasmania p Preliminary estimate. y Provisional estimate. Source: ABARES Australian Agricultural and Grazing Industries Survey

Table 2 Financial performance, Tasmania broadacre industries, 2012–13 to 2014–15, average per farm

Performance indicator units 2012–13 2013–14p RSE 2014–15y Total cash receipts $ 299 490 321 300 (7) 334 000 Total cash costs $ 229 720 249 900 (8) 230 000 Farm cash income $ 69 770 71 400 (17) 104 000 Farms with negative farm cash income % 11 20 (39) 6 Farm business profit $ 670 10 400 (100) 31 000 Profit at full equity excluding capital appreciation $ 29 040 40 500 (27) 57 000 Farm capital at 30 June a $ 3 889 340 3 762 500 (35) na Farm debt at 30 June b $ 363 950 425 500 (13) 386 000 Equity ratio bd % 91 89 (1) na Rate of return excluding capital appreciation e % 0.8 1.1 (26) 1.6 Off-farm income of owner manager and spouse b $ 42 160 32 700 (15) na a Excludes leased plant and equipment. b Average per responding farm. c Farm capital minus farm debt. d Equity expressed as a percentage of farm capital. e Rate of return to farm capital at 1 July. p Preliminary estimates. y Provisional estimates. na Not Available. Figures in parentheses are standard errors expressed as a percentage of the estimate provided Source: ABARES Australian Agricultural and Grazing Industries Survey Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in the Launceston and North East region of Tasmania, 2015 ABARES

Performance of sheep industry farms—Tasmania In 2013–14 an increase in average prices received for adult sheep, lambs, and wool outweighed lower sheep and lamb turn-off and resulted in an increase in average farm receipts for sheep industry farms is Tasmania. Despite reduced expenditure on livestock purchases, average farm cash costs increased due to higher expenditure on fertiliser, fuel, fodder, crop and pasture chemicals, and interest payments. Increased costs more than offset higher receipts and led to a decline in farm cash income for Tasmanian sheep industry farms to an average of $75 600 a farm (Figure 5).

In 2014–15, farm cash income for Tasmanian sheep industry farms is projected to increase to average $111 000 a farm, around 24 per cent above the 10-year average to 2013–14.

Sheep, lamb and wool receipts are projected to increase due to an increase in sheep and lamb prices combined with slightly higher turn-off and an increase in the quantity of wool sold. Average total cash costs are projected to decline as a result of reduced expenditure on livestock purchases, interest payments and fuel.

Figure 5 Real farm cash income, sheep industry, average per farm

2014–15 $’000

Performance of beef industry farms—Tasmania In 2013–14, lower turn-off more than offset a small increase in beef cattle prices resulting in average beef cattle receipts declining. Despite the decrease in beef cattle receipts, total cash receipts on Tasmanian beef industry farms increased slightly mainly as a result of higher crop receipts. The increase in farm receipts was combined with slightly lower cash costs in 2013–14, due to a decrease in expenditure on livestock purchases, repairs and maintenance, and fertiliser. Overall, average farm cash income for Tasmanian beef industry farms increased slightly to average of $55 800 a farm in 2013–14 (Figure 6).

In 2014–15, higher beef cattle turn-off in combination with an increase in average sale prices received, are projected to result in beef cattle receipts increasing on Tasmanian beef industry farms. In addition, reduction in expenditure on purchases of beef cattle together with lower interest expenditure is projected to lead to a reduction in farm cash costs. Average farm cash

11 Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in the Launceston and North East region of Tasmania, 2015 ABARES income for beef industry farms are projected to increase to average $81 000 a farm in 2014–15, around 40 per cent above the 10-year average to 2013–14.

Figure 6 Real farm cash income, beef industry, average per farm

2014–15 $’000

Performance of dairy industry farms— Tasmania Average farm cash income was low for Tasmanian farms in 2012–13. In 2013–14, an increase in milk prices resulted in average farm cash incomes rebounded strongly in Tasmania. Average farm cash income increased from $44 100 in 2012–13 to $238 100 in 2013–14 (Figure 7 and Table 3). Nationally, average farm cash income increased from $44 130 in 2012–13 to $163 900 in 2013–14.

In 2014–15 average farm cash incomes are projected to decline in most states including Tasmania as a result of lower milk prices and higher cash costs, particularly fodder costs. However, the reduction in farm cash income is expected to be much smaller in Tasmania, compared with other states, due to a much larger increase in milk production in Tasmania compared to the other states. Farm cash income in Tasmania is projected to average $202 000 a farm in 2014–15, around 60 per cent above the 10-year average to 2013–14.

When variations to projected farm cash incomes of dairy farms across Australia are taken into account, the overall average farm cash income of Australian dairy farms is projected to decline to average $97 000 a farm in 2014–15, around 14 per cent below the 10-year average to 2013– 14. Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in the Launceston and North East region of Tasmania, 2015 ABARES

Figure 7 Real farm cash income, dairy industry, average per farm

2014–15 $’000

Australia Tasmania p Preliminary estimate. y Provisional estimate. Source: ABARES Australian Dairy Industry Survey

Table 3 Financial performance, Tasmania dairy industry, 2012–13 to 2014–15, average per farm

Performance indicator units 2012–13 2013–14p RSE 2014–15y Farm cash income $ 44 100 238 100 (10) 202 000 Farm business profit a $ –66 840 123 100 (18) 79 000 Rate of return excluding capital appreciation b % 1.4 4.7 (10) 3.9 a Defined as farm cash income plus buildup in trading stocks, less depreciation and the imputed value of operator partner and family labour. b Defined as profit at full equity, excluding capital appreciation, as a percentage of total opening capital. Profit at full equity is defined as farm business profit plus rent, interest and lease payments less depreciation on leased items. p Preliminary estimates. y Provisional estimates. na Not available. Figures in parentheses are standard errors expressed as a percentage of the estimate provided. Source: ABARES Australian Dairy Industry Survey

Performance of vegetable industry farms—Tasmania Nationally in 2013–14, average farm cash income is estimated to have declined to $156 000, 4 per cent lower than in 2012–13. Average to above average seasonal conditions helped growers to maintain the high yields of 2012–13. Overall vegetable production was also higher because the average area planted to vegetable crops increased. However, the resulting increase in vegetable cash receipts was partially offset by lower vegetable prices.

Vegetable production as a proportion of total state gross value of agricultural production is higher in Tasmania than any other state, accounting for 20 per cent. Vegetable growing farm businesses in the state are also the most diverse, with only 51 per cent of total farm receipts attributable to vegetables.

Despite vegetable cash receipts declining, estimated average farm cash income increased marginally in 2012–13 to $135 400 (Table 4), 30 per cent higher than the eight-year average (in real terms) to 2012–13 (Figure 8). Yields were variable across vegetable commodities, decreasing for potatoes, but increasing for carrots and onions. The average area planted

13 Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in the Launceston and North East region of Tasmania, 2015 ABARES decreased for all vegetable commodities, decreasing most strongly for the main vegetable commodities. The effect on receipts of lower vegetable production was offset by an increase in vegetable prices.

Average farm cash income is estimated to have decreased in 2013–14 to $107 000 (Table 4), although this was 14 per cent higher than the nine-year average (in real terms) to 2013–14 (Figure 8). The average area planted was down across all vegetable commodities, although yields were marginally higher for potatoes, reflecting the better than average seasonal conditions for most farms.

Table 4 Physical and financial performance, vegetable growing farm businesses, Tasmania, 2012–13 and 2013–14 average per farm Selected estimates units 2012–13 p RSE % Change 2013–14 y RSE % Change from 2011–12 from 2012–13 Vegetable cash receipts $ 321 700 (16 –1 310 000 (27 –4 ) ) Area sown to vegetables ha 26.7 (15 –10 22.6 (30 –15 ) ) Quantity of vegetables produced t 1 131 (12 –12 927 (24 –18 ) ) Farm cash income $ 135 400 (20 5 107 000 (36 –8 ) ) Note: p Preliminary estimate. y Provisional estimate. RSE Relative standard errors, expressed as a percentage of the estimate. Updated data for vegetable farm businesses will be available November 2015. Source: ABARES Australian vegetable growing farms survey

Figure 8 Real farm cash income, vegetable growing farm businesses, Tasmania, 2005–06 to 2013–14 average per farm 180 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 $'0000 y 6 2 7 8 9 0 1 p

2013–14 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 4 3 – – – – – – – 1 1 5 1 6 7 8 9 0 – – 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 0 0 2 2 Note: p Preliminary estimate. y Provisional estimate. Source: ABARES Australian vegetable growing farms survey Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in the Launceston and North East region of Tasmania, 2015 ABARES

3) Fisheries sector

The Launceston and North East region of Tasmania is predominantly a wild-catch production area for shellfish, in particular abalone, scallop, and finfish. Georges Bay and Ansons Bay are key shellfish producing areas, including cockles, clams and some aquaculture oysters. Wild-caught greenlip and blacklip abalone production also occurs in the area as these species are abundant along the north coast toward Musselroe Point. The ports of Bridport and St. Helens are important landing sites for scallop fishers operating in both Commonwealth and Tasmanian fisheries.

In 2012–13 the gross value of Tasmanian fisheries production is estimated to be around $695.9 million, an increase of 0.4 per cent ($3 million) from 2012–13. Tasmania contributed 29 per cent of the total value of Australian fisheries production in 2012–13. In value terms, the wild-catch sector accounted for 25 per cent ($175.9 million) of the state’s total production and the aquaculture sector accounted for the remaining 75 per cent ($520 million).

Tasmania’s wild-catch fisheries sector is dominated by two main products—abalone and southern rocklobster—which account for 56 per cent and 37 per cent, respectively, of the total value of wild-caught production in 2012–13. Over the last decade the real value of Tasmania’s wild-caught fisheries products has reduced by 16 per cent to $175.9 million 2012–13. The decline in value was driven by 40 per cent decline in the average unit price of several major wild-catch species and despite a 40 per cent increase in the total volume of wild-catch fisheries products.

The product for which the real value of production declined most over the past decade is abalone (both wild-caught and aquaculture), falling by 24 per cent to $97 million in 2012–13. This was the result of a 26 per cent reduction in the real unit price, despite s 2 per cent increase in volume. A large proportion of abalone is exported, mostly to Hong Kong, China and Japan. Exchange rate movements have a significant effect on the value of abalone exports and, in turn, production.

Southern rocklobster accounts for a significant proportion of Tasmanian wild-catch production, accounting for 17 per cent and 37 per cent of the total volume and value, respectively, of wild- catch production in 2012–13. However, the value of Southern rocklobster exports declined by 30 per cent in 2012–13, primarily reflecting a 23 per cent (75 tonnes) reduction in the volume exported from Tasmania and falling export unit prices.

Commonwealth fisheries active in the Tasmania region include the Commonwealth Trawl Sector (main source of domestic fresh fish for Sydney and Melbourne markets) and the Shark Gillnet, Hook and Trap Sector (supplies gummy shark or ‘flake’ to Melbourne) of the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery. The Bass Strait Central Zone Scallop Fishery and Small Pelagic Fishery (mostly fishmeal for aquaculture and agriculture) also operate in the waters off Tasmania.

The importance of aquaculture in Tasmanian fisheries production increased over the past decade. Over the past decade the real value of aquaculture production tripled reaching $520 million in 2012-13, representing around 75 per cent of the state’s fisheries production. Most of the growth in aquaculture production is attributed to increases in the output of farmed salmonid species, in particular Atlantic salmon.

In 2012–13 the volume of Tasmania’s aquaculture production is estimated to have declined by 4 per cent (2088 tonnes) to 46 375 tonnes. Salmonids accounted for 90 per cent of this volume and 94 per cent of the total value of Tasmanian aquaculture in 2012–13. Most Tasmanian salmonid production supplies the domestic market. A key factor contributing to the rapid growth in recent years was a strong focus on marketing salmon to Australian consumers. In 2012–13 an estimated 41 762 tonnes of salmonids valued at $489 million were produced.

In 2012–13, Tasmania’s fisheries product exports were valued at $131.9 million, lower by 20 per cent decline compared with 2011-12. The main export products include abalone, salmon and Southern rocklobster, which collectively accounted for around 93 per cent of the total value of Tasmania’s fisheries exports in 2012–13.

Hong Kong, Vietnam and China are the major destinations for Tasmanian fisheries exports, accounting for 35 per cent, 21 per cent and 19 per cent of the total value of exports in 2012–13, respectively. Other major export destinations include Japan (8 per cent), Singapore (6 per cent) and Taiwan (2 per cent).

Recreational fishing is popular in Tasmania with Tasmanians spending over $50 million on recreational fishing and an estimated one in every three Tasmanians reported to go fishing. This includes game fishing for species including southern bluefin tuna and, with the seasonal extension of the East Australian Current, tropical species, such as yellowfin tuna and striped marlin. Recreational fishing also includes Southern rocklobster, abalone and a range of finfish species, such as flathead, Australian salmon, flounder and bream. Boat fishing accounts for most of the fishing effort in the Launceston North West region and finfish such as flathead, Australian salmon, bream and tuna are the most common target species caught (Lyle et al. 2009). Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in the Launceston and North East region of Tasmania, 2015 ABARES

4) Forestry sector

In 2010–11, the total plantation area in the Launceston and North East region was approximately 127 300 hectares, comprised of approximately 89 000 hectares of hardwood plantations and 36 000 hectares of softwood plantations. The main hardwood species planted are blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus) and shining gum (E. nitens), and the main softwood species planted is radiata pine (Pinus radiata).

In 2011, there were approximately 919 200 hectares of native forests in the Launceston and North East region, comprised mainly of Eucalypt medium woodland (446 400 hectares), Eucalypt tall open (176 500 hectares) and Eucalypt tall woodland (107 900 hectares) forest types. The majority of the native forests are privately managed (317 400 hectares), while 287 900 hectares are multiple-use public forest available for timber production and 174 600 hectares are in nature conservation reserves (Figure 9). The region hosts a number of timber processing industries, mostly in the Tamar Valley including Bell Bay and Launceston.

Figure 9 Area of native forest, by tenure

Source: ABARES Australia’s State of the Forests Report 2013

Sales and service income in the Tasmanian forest and wood product industry was estimated at approximately $593 million in 2012–13, of which $257 million was from wood product sales. The remaining $336 million was generated from the sale of paper and paper products. Exports of woodchips from Tasmania have declined sharply following the global economic downturn, falling to 1.5 million tonnes in 2010–11 with an estimated value of $236 million. In 2011–12, woodchip exports declined further to 419 000 tonnes, valued at $64 million. In 2011, the Tasmanian forestry sector employed 3 526 workers (1.7 per cent of the total employed workforce in Tasmania) compared with 5 390 (2.7 per cent) in 2006 (number of people employed includes forestry support services and timber wholesaling).

References

ABS 2011, Census of Population and Housing, Australian Bureau of Statistics, Canberra.

ABS 2014a, Agricultural Commodities, Australia, 2012–2013, cat. no. 7121.0, Australian Bureau Statistics, Canberra.

ABS 2014b, Labour Force, Australia, Detailed, Quarterly, Nov 2014, cat. no. 6291.0.55.003, Australian Bureau Statistics, Canberra.

ABS 2014c, Value of Agricultural Commodities Produced, Australia, 2012–13, cat. no. 7503.0, Australian Bureau Statistics, Canberra.

Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics-Bureau of Rural Sciences 2010, Land use of Australia 2005-06, Version 4, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Canberra.

ABARES 2014, Catchment scale land use of Australia – update March 2014. Department of Agriculture. http://data.daff.gov.au/anrdl/metadata_files/pb_luausg9abll20140506_11a.xml

Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences 2014, Australian forest and wood products statistics: March and June quarters 2014, Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences, Canberra.

Lyle, JM, Tracey, SR, Stark, KE & Wotherspoon, S 2009, 2007–08 Survey of Recreational Fishing in Tasmania, Tasmanian Aquaculture and Fisheries Institute, University of Tasmania, Hobart.

Montreal Process Implementation Group for Australia and National Forest Inventory Steering Committee 2013, Australia’s State of the Forests Report 2013, Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences, Canberra.