Browse Data and Analysis

All foods sold in Australia must comply with a range of laws designed to protect consumer, plant, and animal health. These laws apply equally to imported and locally produced foods.

This report lists examples of the major export certificates and other documentation required by the Government of Australia for U.S. exports of food and agricultural products.

Good conditions at planting and during the early growth phase for wheat and barley production have prevailed for marketing year (MY) 2023/24. However, after a record setting winter crop in MY 2022/23, Australia is expected to produce a strong but more subdued grain crop in MY 2023/24.

Although Australia is experiencing rising inflation, supermarket and grocery store incomes are benefitting by largely passing the price increases on to customers. Profit margins in supermarkets and grocery stores rose by 4.2 percent in 2022.

Milk production in Australia in 2023 is forecast to decrease by three percent to 8.2 million metric tons (MMT). This is despite generally very good production conditions for 2023, particularly with record milk prices and easing grain and fertilizer prices.

Australia’s table grape sector has made great strides during the last 10 years, raising production by more than a third and exports by 50 percent. Despite 2 years of declining production and exports due to COVID-19 constraints, investments in vineyards prior to and during the pandemic have set the industry on a path to continue its upward trend.

After a record setting winter crop in marketing year (MY) 2022/23, Australia is expected to produce a more subdued, but still strong grain crop in MY 2023/24.

Australia’s sugar production is forecast to increase to 4.4 million metric tons (MMT) in marketing year (MY) 2023/24, from an estimated 4.2 MMT in MY 2022/23. This increase is due to an expected rise in sugar cane crush to 33.5 MMT in MY 2023/24, from an estimate of 32.6 MMT in the previous year.

Australian oilseed production, dominated by canola, is expected to be strong again in marketing year (MY) 2023/24, but down from the record in MY 2022/23. Canola production is forecast in MY 2023/24 at 5.5 million metric tons (MMT), the third largest from the record-busting crop estimated at 8.3 MMT in MY 2022/23.

Cotton production in Australia is primed for a near record 5.8 million bales in MY 2023/24, stringing together three successive big crops starting from the record 5.85 million bales in MY 2021/22.

Australia has proven to be an appealing and profitable market for U.S. companies for many years. Apart from an extremely strict quarantine regime, it offers few barriers to entry, a familiar legal and corporate framework, and a sophisticated and straightforward business culture.

The Australian cattle industry is expected to continue its strong herd rebuild in 2023 and Australian beef supply is expected to recover after falling to the lowest level in twenty-five years in 2021 and in 2022.