- Author Northern Territory Farmers Association
- Publish date 19 June 2023
- ISBN 978-1-922437-47-1
- Documents
- Supply chain development
Summary
The CRCNA partnered with Northern Territory Farmers Association (NT Farmers) to conduct an evaluation of Northern Territory agriculture supply chains and export opportunities, through the Northern Territory Agricultural Supply Chains Project . This project sought to understand where to apportion effort to drive industry expansion and economic growth, and ultimately capitalise on the opportunities available.
A key finding of this report is that strategic infrastructure planning and development is a critical factor for the success of agribusiness in the Northern Territory and is a key enabler for industry and broader economic growth. To address this, there is an opportunity to leverage planned investments in the Northern Territory to develop agriculture and improve supply chain infrastructure.
The report also identifies that there is an increasing geopolitical need to improve capability and onshore production of food processing and the supply chain infrastructure to support distribution. This provides the opportunity for the Northern Territory to investigate a multi-user agricultural precinct which could provide synergies and efficiencies for producers and be an innovative hub for onshore food processing in Northern Australia.
A key output generated by the project team has been a model to provide agricultural producers with an estimate of the costs to export goods from the Northern Territory, both internationally and domestically. It provides an overview of the downstream supply chain for agricultural producers in the Northern Territory and insights regarding the potential opportunities and constraints faced by producers.
The recommendations and findings of this report provide the information necessary for decision makers, both industry and government, to set out a detailed and targeted plan to address the constraints that exist in agribusiness supply chains. This will facilitate investment into the agribusiness sector and associated infrastructure and ultimately drive economic growth in the Northern Territory.
Projects
An evaluation of Northern Territory Agriculture supply chains and export opportunities
This project evaluated the strengths, constraints and growth opportunities across key Northern Territory agricultural supply chains, with a focus on increasing production, improving market access and expanding export opportunities. Recognising the Territory’s strategic location near Asian markets, the project examined how industry, government and investors could work together to unlock greater value from the region’s agricultural sector. The research assessed a range of existing and emerging agricultural industries, analysing supply chain performance from production through to processing, transport and export. It identified opportunities to strengthen competitiveness, improve efficiency and address barriers that limit industry growth, including infrastructure gaps, workforce challenges, logistics costs and market access constraints. A key focus of the project was understanding export opportunities for Northern Territory producers, particularly in rapidly growing Asian markets. The study examined market demand, trade pathways and competitive advantages that could support increased exports of high-value agricultural products. It also explored the investments and policy settings required to support industry expansion and attract private sector investment. The project delivered evidence-based recommendations to improve supply chain resilience, strengthen connections between producers and markets and support future agricultural development across the Territory. By identifying priority actions and investment opportunities, the research provides a foundation for growing Northern Australia’s agricultural exports and enhancing the long-term competitiveness of Northern Territory agribusiness. The findings have helped inform strategic planning and investment decisions, contributing to a clearer understanding of how Northern Territory agriculture can capitalise on its proximity to international markets and play a larger role in Northern Australia’s economic development.