Media Release
Crop Protection
Plant Science Contributes to the Australian Economy as well as your Supermarket Trolley
A new report by Deloitte Access Economics released today has revealed that the Australian production of crops such as grapes, hops, carrots, peanuts, and onions, would not be commercially viable without the safe and sustainable use of chemical crop protection products.
The use of crop protection products directly enables $20.6 billion to Australian farming output annually, providing a significant boost to agriculture as it powers towards being Australia’s next $100 billion industry.
These innovations of the plant science industry are a crucial component driving growth in the farming sector and highlight that agtech is essential for agriculture if it is to become Australia’s next $100 billion industry.
Hear from Mr Matthew Cossey, CEO of CropLife Australia speak on the Deloitte Report:
The report shows that 73 per cent of the $28.2 billion of total Australian crop production, is attributable to the use of crop protection products. Imagine if more than two-thirds of the crops Australian farmers currently produce were lost every year. Our supermarket trolleys would be nearly empty and access to fresh produce would be very limited.
The report also highlights the additional contributions the crop protection industry makes to the Australian economy in areas of employment, manufacturing, transport, and trade. The report reveals the industry creates 9,225 full-time equivalent jobs across Australia.
Hear from Mr Matthew Cossey, CEO of CropLife Australia speak on the significant contribution of the plant science industry to Australian agriculture:
This report complements and reinforces other international studies that prove that crop protection products directly improve the cost of living for consumers. A study conducted in the United States of America (USA) by economist Mark Goodwin indicated that crop protection products provide a 47.9% saving on grocery bills for a family of four in the USA. This is also reflected in the Australian context.
Hear from Mr Matthew Cossey, CEO of CropLife Australia speak on the need to unshackle agtech innovation: