Queensland's Primary Industries and Fisheries authorities have revealed that the Australian state's agricultural sector has increased 5 per cent in value this year.
The March 2009 Prospects Update said that latest forecasts showed an improvement since December 2008, with the industry remaining strong despite the current global financial crisis.
'The state's diverse agricultural industries are not only helping to make Queenslanders Australia's healthiest people, they're also driving our economy and providing jobs for thousands of people,' said minister for primary industries, fisheries and rural and regional Queensland Tim Mulherin. 'Despite the fall in prices of some agricultural commodities as a result of the financial crunch and environmental conditions, we don't expect agricultural export earnings to be severely affected.'
According to the Queensland Business Review, excessive rain that hit crops like bananas and tomatoes in the north didn't wholly impact overall horticultural value growth, which jumped 6 per cent during the period.
'While vegetable producers have been hard hit by heavy rain in the northern part of the state, we are seeing improvements for other crops,' Mr Mulherin said. 'Mangoes are forecast at A$65m, table grapes have a value of A$50m and turf is worth A$81m.'
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