Australian vegetable-growing farms: an economic survey, 2014-15 and 2015-16

Overview
Overview Since 2007 ABARES has conducted an annual survey of vegetable growing farm businesses to provide industry and government with information about farm-level production and the financial situation of vegetable growers. This report contains results from the ABARES survey of vegetable growing farms conducted from March to June 2016, which collected data on the characteristics of vegetable farms in 2014-15 and 2015-16.

Key Issues
• In 2015-16 average farm cash income of Australian vegetable-growing farms is estimated to have increased to around $249 000 per farm. Vegetable cash receipts increased as a result of higher vegetable production, mainly from an increase in crop yields. • The average rate of return (excluding capital appreciation) of Australian vegetable-growing farms increased to 3.0 per cent in 2014-15 and 3.6 per cent in 2015-16. • In 2014-15 an estimated 12 per cent of vegetable-growing farms made additions to total capital. These consisted primarily of land purchases but also included plant, machinery and equipment. • The majority of debt held by Australian vegetable-growing farms is for working capital management and land purchases. Nationally, farm debt fell by 7 per cent during 2014-15 to an average of $454 200 (in 2015-16 dollars).