Tasmania’s pork industry contributed $8.1 million to Australia’s pig production sector in 2015-16.
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The Australian Pork Industry Economic Contribution Report, completed by consultancy group ACIL Allen, shows the national pork industry was valued at almost $1.4 billion in 2015-16, with Tasmania’s portion accounting for 0.6 per cent.
Australian Pork Limited chief executive Andrew Spencer said the report demonstrated how valuable the Australian pig industry was.
“It confirms the importance of the pork industry to Australia’s regional economy. In a typical regional community, pig production can make a contribution of $3,406 per sow to the local economy,” Mr Spencer said.
“These numbers go up again if there’s processing facilities in the community. We are looking at 37 jobs per 1000 sows and at least $5,416 into the economy per sow in that case.” Mr Spencer said.
Tasmania’s pig farmers spent $5 million on goods and services relating to pig production in 2015-16.
These figures are broken down as:
- $1.7 million on feed grains and other feeds
- $0.1 million on utilities, including electricity, gas, water and waste water treatment
- $0.3 million on transport
- $0.3 million on wholesale and retail trade
- $2.5 million on other inputs and services.
Report authors found the Tasmanian pork sector’s employment contribution was estimated at 18 people.
Industry sectors in Tasmania deriving the most benefit from the pork industry in flow-on employment are: food and beverage manufacturing; agriculture, forestry and fishing; wholesale trade and retail trade; transport, postal and warehousing; and professional, scientific and technical services.
This indirect employment accounts for between 31 and 53 full-time equivalent jobs.
Tasmania’s Gross State Product was $26.2 billion, which means the direct economic contribution of the pig production sector accounted for 0.012 per cent.
At a national level, the pork industry supports more than 36,000 full-time equivalent jobs and contributes $2.6 billion in direct household income.
Victoria’s pork industry is the largest in Australia, valued at $480 million, but pig production in South Australia had the biggest impact, with revenues of $385 million representing 0.4 per cent of gross state product.
The full Australian Pork Industry Economic Contribution Report also models the contribution of new or expanded pig production businesses to regional communities and is available at www.australianpork.com.au