Sales, exports up, but job losses continue, AFGC report

Australian Food and Grocery Council’s (AFGC) sixth annual industry snapshot State of the Industry 2014, shows signs of growth opportunities for the Australian food and beverage, grocery and fresh produce sector, despite challenging economic conditions.

AFGC CEO Mr Gary Dawson said State of the Industry 2014 highlights strong growth in food and beverage exports and a slight lift in overall industry turnover, but employment levels are still falling in Australia’s largest manufacturing sector.

“Another 2500 jobs disappeared from the food, beverage and grocery processing sector last year. The sector still employs almost 300,000 Australians with a large proportion in regional and rural areas.

“The data shows accelerating growth in exports in 2013-14 – up by more than 8%.

“In food and beverage the export growth is even stronger with the two largest sub-sectors, meat and dairy, rising 24.5% and 19% respectively.”

Key facts from the State of the Industry 2014 report, using the most up to date data from the ABS and other sources are:
– Industry turnover $114 bn, up 0.9%; 2012-13 data
– Direct employment 299,731, down 2,571; 2013-14 data
– 45% of jobs are in rural and regional Australia; 2013-14 data
– Industry made up of 27,469 businesses; 2013-14 data
– Industry value-add $31.3 bn; 2012-13 data
– R& D spend of $541.8 m per annum; 2011-12 data
– Total international trade $55.9 bn (up 7.3%); 2013-14 data
– Food and beverage exports $21.9 bn (up 13.5%); 2013-14 data.

Mr Dawson added that while export numbers are impressive and the AFGC report confirms that this is a sector with great potential to deliver jobs and growth in the future, we need to grow the sector faster to generate a net increase in jobs.

Australian Food and Grocery Council

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top