The NSW Primary Industries have reached a historic milestone, recording an estimated Gross Value of Production (GVP) of $25.5 billion, underscoring the sector’s enduring resilience, ongoing innovation, and its vital contribution to driving the state’s economy.
GVP is a key metric used by the Minns Labor Government to report on the performance of NSW primary industries and has been measured and reported by NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) for the past 10 years.
This record figure for the 2024/25 financial year, released today by the NSW Government, marks a 22% increase from last year and is $2.4 billion above the previous record of $23.1 billion set in 2021-22.
Significantly, it is 16% above the 5-year average and more than double the $12.5 billion recorded in 2014-15 demonstrating a sustained growth across all sectors.
The Minns Government is helping build-up and protect the state’s primary industries with $100 million invested over the last year in agricultural research and more than $1 billion in biosecurity systems and programs.
The strong GVP is built on record-breaking performance across key agricultural sectors, including unprecedented red meat and poultry production, exceptional horticulture output, and historic winter crop yield, particularly chickpeas, alongside above-average summer crop results, notably cotton and sorghum.
These outcomes are underpinned by farmer innovation, with producers adopting new technologies, farming practices, and strategies to help boost productivity and resilience.
The record comes despite external pressures from natural disasters, drier seasonal conditions, volatile prices and biosecurity challenges.
Sector breakdown for the Primary Industries portfolio 2024/25 showed:
- Cropping GVP was up 31% to $11.6 billion est. and 14% above the 5-year average.
- Livestock GVP was up 19% to $9.5 billion est. and 18% above the 5-year average.
- Horticulture GVP was up 8% to $3.7 billion est. and 18% above the 5-year average.
- Forestry GVP was up 6% to $468 million est. and 5% above the 5-year average.
- Fisheries GVP is up 4% to $223 million est. (including a forecast $112.6 million from aquaculture) and 7% above the 5-year average.
The Government’s Performance and Data Insights report (DPI) provides an estimate of the GVP for all the major primary industries commodities produced in NSW and an analysis of key drivers of performance for each commodity.
The report is published annually, with 2025 marking the tenth publication. PDI estimates are published in November each year for the previous financial year, and is the most comprehensive data set available for NSW primary industries.
For more information and to access the full report, visit the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (NSW DPIRD) PDI webpage – https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/about-us/publications/pdi
Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty said:
“If the State’s primary industry sector was in an Olympic event it would be Gold, Silver and Bronze for NSW farmers, fishers and foresters – this result is outstanding.
“A huge congratulation to the men and women from regional NSW who everyday go to work on the land and in our waterways to build a better and stronger NSW.
“By any measure this is an outstanding result and a testament to the hard work of our farmers, fishers, foresters and producers right across NSW.
“From cropping and livestock to horticulture and fisheries, our primary industries are thriving, and the Minns Government is proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the people who make that happen.
“We’ve delivered more than $100 million in new funding over the past year to modernise our research capabilities and strengthen biosecurity, upgrading facilities across regional NSW ensuring our producers have the tools and knowledge to adapt and thrive.
“We’re investing in research, biosecurity, and workforce development to ensure NSW remains a powerhouse of clean, green and safe food and fibre production.
“We hope these numbers continue to grow year-on-year, as ongoing improvements in conditions help create more opportunities for success.”
NSW Farmers President, Xavier Martin said:
“NSW agriculture has its sights set on producing $30 billion in farmgate value by 2030, and we’re clearly well on the way to achieving this key milestone for our sector.
“Over past year, farmers have faced no shortage of challenges in NSW, but they have managed through extraordinary risks in the landscape, and these results speak for themselves.
“Agriculture is an economic powerhouse that punches above its weight, supporting our rural communities and the state – all while feeding and clothing the world.
“However, the challenges farm businesses face are only intensifying, and our ability to grow food and fibre relies on continued investment into all aspects of our sector, from research and development to biosecurity and beyond.
“Investment in agriculture is an investment that will deliver productivity and dividends back to our communities and will play an important role in improving food security and futures here and around the globe.”
Local State Member for Orange Phil Donato said:
“This milestone is a win for every rural and regional community in NSW. Our producers are proving that innovation and hard work can deliver extraordinary outcomes.”
“Primary industries are the lifeblood of our towns. Their success fuels local jobs, supports families, and strengthens our communities.”
“Primary producers in Orange and the broader Central West have been instrumental in achieving this outstanding result.
“With thriving industries in sheep and beef livestock, cool climate viticulture, horticulture, and broadacre cropping, the region continues to demonstrate its strength as one of NSW’s most productive agricultural hubs.”
Michael Payten, who operates a 1,200-hectare mixed pastoral and cropping farm at Canowindra, said:
“While input costs are all going up so have our commodity prices, so we’re having a better season than we’ve had for a while.
“The productivity of the farm has been as good as it’s ever been. Our prime lamb prices have been defying gravity and lucerne hay saw a fair price rise too as things dried out a little bit and demand increased.
“This calendar year we’ve bred a record number of lambs. That’s on the back on a few good seasons and keeping our breeding stock in good condition.
“We’ve significantly improved our lambing percentages over the years by tapping into the department’s research in livestock production.
“Our recent participation in the Farms of the Future Agtech Education Program, and the Farm Business Resilience Program has also been beneficial. It just shows you’re never too old to learn something new.”
Sam White, who operates the 2,270-hectare Bald Angus stud in Guyra, said:
“It’s magic up here in Northern NSW at the moment, as conditions continue to improve due to recent rainfall.
“Right now, commodity prices are rising significantly compared to 2023, and the outlook is incredibly promising as we look ahead.
“As southern regions begin to recover from drought conditions, and US herd begins to rebuild, we expect this momentum to continue, further driving beef prices upward.
“We’re currently in a favourable phase of the commodity cycle for both beef and sheep so it’s a great time for the industry.
“We’re seeing amazing prospects as we look ahead. The future is promising for producers.
“We look forward to collaborating with NSW DPIRD as we work together toward a bright future for industry.”
Brandon Armstrong, oyster farmer on the mid north coast and chair of the NSW Farmers Oyster Committee, said:
“Oyster farmers across NSW are encouraged to see the forecasted value in production this financial year. Despite having gone through lots of challenges the past year including the May floods, the industry can recover and thrive.
“The resilience of the industry is amazing, and oyster farmers are pursuing ways to safeguard their businesses through things like flood proof infrastructure, species diversification, hatchery technology, and supply chain innovation.
“We are gearing up for a good Christmas season to provide oyster lovers with high quality sustainably produced seafood.
“We are working collaboratively with NSW DPIRD on the Aquaculture Vision Statement released in 2024, that is to see the industry value double by 2030. We’re looking forward to opportunities to work together with the Department on key priorities identified in the Vision Roadmap to help us reach this target.”
Paul Aquilina, who operates in the NSW Prawn Trawl and Estuary General Fishery, said:
“Fishers have been consistently impacted since Covid, especially though the fires and more recently regular floods. It’s been tough for many commercial fishers, but we’ve kept developing our fisheries and working with DPIRD Fisheries.
“We’ve had fee waivers through this time, most recently the to the licence that allows us to sell our product more freely to local consumers. This has supported a lot of small fishing businesses.
“There has also been scientific and managerial support from DPIRD for gear innovation trials to improve the fisheries ecological footprint. This has been awesome for our fishery to help us catch NSW seafood more selectively and sustainably.
“Our future in this fishery is very strong. Given we now have a cost-effective option to sell the product we catch, our prices have improved and more people, seafood consumers and the public, are understanding what commercial fishing provides and how we operate. This has been facilitated by DPIRD Fisheries and other organisations like Ocean Watch, the Australian Council of Prawn Fisheries and the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation.”
