New South Wales' food and beverage processing industries generated a turnover of some $25 billion in 2006-07 (more than 20 per cent of NSW's total manufacturing output) and employed more than 20 per cent of the State's manufacturing workforce.
Built on a strong and diversified agricultural production base valued at $7.7 billion in 2006-07 (see our Agriculture and Fisheries profile), New South Wales' food and beverage manufacturing industries account for around 30 per cent of Australia's total processed food production and the Australian industry's contribution to the national economy.
The State's food industry also generates exports exceeding $3.5 billion each year, with meat products and wine accounting for around half this total. The major markets for NSW's processed food exports are Japan, USA, New Zealand, Korea and the UK.
NSW food and beverage industries employed nearly 150,000 people in February 2008 - 90,000 in farming/fishing and some 58,000 in processing/manufacturing. The industry also provides flow-on employment in NSW for another 210,000 people in food wholesaling and retailing businesses.
NSW's processed food industry is highly diversified. The largest sectors, based on turnover, are:
- meat and poultry products
- flour, cereal and bakery products
- beverages, particularly soft drinks and wine
- snack foods and prepared meals
- dairy products
- horticultural products
- confectionery
NSW's food industry enjoys a number of key competitive advantages, including:
- an amazing diversity of growing conditions
- a 'clean and green' natural environment
- a strong R&D and education/training infrastructure covering food production, processing, packaging and handling
- reliable, competitively-priced production inputs
- first class transport links to major domestic and overseas markets
- and a highly skilled and committed workforce.
The Department of State and Regional Development undertakes a range of activities to support the continued development and growth of the State's food industry. It helps companies address the challenges of an increasingly competitive domestic and international marketplace and grow their businesses, in areas such as enterprise improvement, export development, product and process innovation, supply chain management, environmental sustainability and regulatory enhancement.
A regular e-newsletter, Food Bytes, promotes initiatives, events and resources that are available to assist the State's food and beverage industry.
View the latest Food Bytes newsletter.