Research Synthesis: Agricultural development markets for northern Australia

Author CRCNA and research partners
Publish date 25 July 2026
Type Report
ISBN 978-1-922437-63-1
Documents
CRCNA Research Synthesis - Ag Markets_2026

Agriculture
Strategic policy development
Supply chain development

Summary

Agricultural development markets for northern Australia: Research findings and future directions

This Research Synthesis Report brings together findings from CRCNA-funded research focused on developing and de-risking agricultural markets across northern Australia. It examines the opportunities and barriers influencing agricultural investment and market growth, including regulatory complexity, infrastructure gaps, access to reliable data, supply chain constraints and the need to balance agricultural, environmental and First Nations interests.

The report highlights practical outcomes from the CRCNA’s research portfolio, including improved regional export planning, stronger investment readiness among landholders, better coordination around development approvals and clearer evidence to guide infrastructure investment. It also identifies opportunities to strengthen supply chains, develop new and emerging industries, improve market access and build investor confidence through coordinated, place-based and data-driven approaches.

One of 12 CRCNA Research Synthesis Reports, the publication captures the collective findings and emerging impacts of CRCNA-funded research and presents 12 recommendations to support sustainable agricultural development and stronger domestic and export markets across northern Australia. The report has been endorsed by the Northern Regional Development Australia (RDA) Alliance.

Projects

Aboriginal commercial fishing and aquaculture (WA)

This project builds upon existing government support structures, research, and identified industry needs to develop Aboriginal ownership and participation in Western Australia’s commercial fishing and aquaculture industries. The project has three key focus areas: De-risking new commercialisation pathways for three key species – sea cucumber, mud crab and black-lipped rock oyster – identified as suitable from the Northern Gascoyne waters through to the Kimberley. Delivering an introductory workshop package on regionally appropriate commercial fishing and aquaculture opportunities to saltwater Aboriginal Corporations with authorised consent to operate on native title land and waters. Drawing implications from the project back towards a Northern WA-wide policy and planning approach towards de-risking for Aboriginal fishing and aquaculture, consistent with the WA Aquaculture Development Plan.

Supporting landholder capacity for quality agricultural development applications across northern Australia

Building on the CRCNA’s earlier de-risking work in the Northern Territory, this project aimed to address a recognised need to enhance the readiness of landholders, industry bodies and development services for future development and investment. The project has been completed and now provides practical tools and guidance to help landholders navigate the complex process of agricultural development approvals. Led by NT Farmers Association and funded by CRCNA, the three-year project worked with landholders, consultants, industry bodies and government agencies across Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland. The project identified key barriers that often delay or prevent agricultural development, including complex regulatory frameworks, fragmented information sources and limited access to planning and technical resources. Through consultation and co-design with industry stakeholders, the project developed a suite of resources to improve development readiness and support stronger agricultural development applications. These include a business planning template, a simplified guide to accessing spatial data through Queensland Globe, directories of relevant legislation and stakeholders across jurisdictions, and a register of consultants and service providers. Together, these outputs provide practical support for landholders and their advisors, helping to improve the quality of development proposals and support future agricultural investment across northern Australia.

Mackay Isaac Whitsunday regional agricultural supply chain baseline study

The Mackay Isaac Whitsunday (MIW) Regional Agricultural Supply Chain Baseline Study built on the earlier Mackay Isaac Whitsunday Agribusiness Export Supply Chain Mapping Study (A.1.1819039), providing a more detailed assessment of the region’s agricultural industries, supply chains, export opportunities and infrastructure requirements. While the earlier project focused on mapping export freight movements and identifying broad supply chain constraints, this project expanded the analysis to examine market opportunities, commodity profitability, higher-value production options and pathways to new domestic and international markets. The study developed a comprehensive baseline of the MIW agricultural sector, valued at approximately $1.36 billion in annual production, and analysed key industries including livestock, sugarcane, horticulture, broadacre cropping and seafood. It assessed existing supply chains, identified barriers to growth and evaluated opportunities to increase regional value-adding, improve logistics efficiency and strengthen export competitiveness. The project highlighted significant opportunities for industry expansion through new irrigation developments, aquaculture, rotational cropping systems, feedlot development and greater local processing. It also identified priority infrastructure investments, including improved freight and containerisation facilities, enhanced road and rail connections and expanded water infrastructure to support future agricultural growth. The findings have provided government, industry and regional development organisations with an evidence-based roadmap for agricultural investment and export development across the MIW region. Together with the earlier export supply chain mapping project, the study has strengthened regional planning and investment decision-making, helping position the region to grow agricultural production, access new markets and capture greater value from its agricultural supply chains.

Prioritising, de-risking and brokering agricultural development in northern Queensland

Northern Queensland has significant potential to expand its agricultural sector, supported by abundant land and water resources, proximity to growing Asian markets and strong existing agricultural industries. However, new investment and development opportunities often face complex planning, regulatory, environmental, infrastructure and financing challenges. This project examined how agricultural development is prioritised, assessed and progressed across northern Queensland, with a focus on identifying practical ways to reduce investment risk while ensuring development remains environmentally, socially and economically sustainable. The research involved extensive consultation with government agencies, industry representatives, investors, Indigenous organisations, community stakeholders and agricultural businesses. The project found that northern Queensland’s agricultural development system is not fundamentally broken, but that improvements are needed to better coordinate planning, clarify development priorities and streamline pathways for investment. Key challenges identified included fragmented planning processes, uncertainty around water access and land use, infrastructure constraints and limited support for proponents developing investment-ready projects. The project developed a series of policy directions and recommendations aimed at supporting sustainable agricultural growth. These included establishing clearer long-term development priorities, improving collaboration between governments, industry, Traditional Owners and communities, strengthening regional planning approaches and enhancing support for agricultural proponents seeking to attract investment and navigate approval processes. The findings provide a roadmap for governments, investors and industry to work together to unlock agricultural opportunities across northern Queensland while balancing environmental protection, Indigenous interests and regional economic development. By improving the way agricultural opportunities are identified, planned and supported, the project has helped inform future approaches to agricultural investment and development across northern Australia.

Prioritising, de-risking and brokering agricultural development in Western Australia

Northern Western Australia has significant opportunities to expand agricultural and aquaculture production, building on its extensive land resources, emerging irrigation opportunities and growing demand for high-quality food products. However, development proposals often face challenges associated with land tenure, Native Title, infrastructure, regulatory approvals, investment risk and stakeholder coordination. This project examined the barriers and opportunities affecting agricultural and aquacultural development across the Kimberley, Pilbara and Gascoyne regions. Delivered in partnership with the Western Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), the project reviewed existing development processes, analysed case studies and engaged extensively with government agencies, industry, Traditional Owners, Aboriginal organisations and investors to identify practical ways to improve development outcomes. The research found that while northern Western Australia offers substantial development potential, investors and proponents can face significant uncertainty arising from complex approval pathways, fragmented processes and challenges in building trusted relationships between stakeholders. The project highlighted the importance of balancing economic development with environmental stewardship, Indigenous participation and community expectations. Through analysis of 28 agricultural developments and detailed case studies, the project identified opportunities to streamline investment facilitation, improve coordination across government agencies and strengthen approaches to agricultural planning and project assessment. Recommendations included enhancing case management and investment facilitation services, improving access to information and infrastructure planning, supporting Aboriginal economic development and fostering stronger collaboration between government, industry and Traditional Owners. The project provides a practical framework for supporting sustainable agricultural growth in northern Western Australia. Its findings help inform future policy and investment approaches that can reduce development risk, improve investor confidence and unlock new opportunities while delivering economic, environmental and social benefits for regional communities.

Prioritising, de-risking and brokering agricultural development in the Northern Territory

The Northern Territory has substantial potential to expand agricultural and aquaculture production, supported by extensive land and water resources, proximity to Asian markets and opportunities for regional economic development. However, investment and development have often been constrained by complex approval processes, land tenure arrangements, infrastructure limitations and challenges associated with securing investment and building stakeholder confidence. This project investigated the key barriers affecting agricultural and aquaculture development across the Northern Territory and identified practical pathways to reduce investment risk and improve development outcomes. Delivered by NAJA Business Consulting Services in partnership with the CRCNA and Northern Territory Government, the project combined literature reviews, stakeholder interviews, workshops, surveys and detailed case studies to examine the factors influencing new agricultural investment. The research identified a range of common challenges, including complex land tenure and planning arrangements, uncertainty around water resources, regulatory and approval processes, Native Title considerations, logistics and infrastructure constraints and limited telecommunications services. Extensive consultation with industry, government, Aboriginal organisations and project proponents highlighted the need for more coordinated and efficient approaches to agricultural development. Through analysis of 31 potential development opportunities and detailed case studies spanning broadacre cropping, aquaculture, livestock and agricultural processing, the project developed recommendations to support sustainable growth. These included improving land and water planning, streamlining approval pathways, facilitating investment, strengthening infrastructure planning, supporting Indigenous agricultural development and building greater trust and collaboration between governments, industry and Traditional Owners. The project provides a framework for enabling future agricultural investment in the Northern Territory while balancing economic, environmental and social outcomes. Its findings continue to inform discussions around how governments, industry and communities can work together to unlock development opportunities, improve investor confidence and create long-term employment and economic benefits across northern Australia.

Northern Australia agriculture investor identification and analysis

This project examined how northern Australia could attract and secure greater private investment in agricultural development by improving the way investment opportunities are identified, promoted and supported. Delivered by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in partnership with the Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia (CRCNA), the project analysed the agricultural investment landscape across northern Australia and developed a framework to better connect investors with viable development opportunities. Through extensive engagement with domestic and international investors, government agencies and industry stakeholders, the project identified key investor profiles, investment priorities and barriers to investment. It developed an investor typology and targeted investor list, providing insights into the types of investors most likely to participate in northern Australian agricultural projects and the factors influencing their investment decisions. The project also explored policy and market measures that could help de-risk agricultural investment, improve coordination between governments and investment agencies, and strengthen investment attraction efforts across the north. Its findings contributed to a shared strategic approach for investment facilitation, helping Austrade and state and territory governments better position northern Australia as an attractive destination for agricultural investment. By providing a clearer understanding of investor expectations and investment pathways, the project helped lay the groundwork for future agricultural development, supporting more informed investment decisions and improving the long-term prospects for sustainable industry growth across northern Australia.

Growth of agricultural exports from FNQ through enhanced supply chains

This project examined how Far North Queensland (FNQ) could significantly increase agricultural exports by strengthening regional supply chains and improving access to international markets. Building on the region’s strong agricultural production base, the study focused on identifying opportunities to expand high-value food exports through more efficient freight, logistics and export infrastructure. The research found that FNQ has substantial untapped export potential, particularly in Asian markets including China, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Indonesia. Analysis identified approximately $800 million in export opportunities across priority product categories including seafood, horticulture, tree crops, beef and vegetables, supported by growing demand for premium Australian food products. A key focus of the project was understanding why significant volumes of Queensland-grown agricultural products were being exported through ports and airports outside Queensland rather than directly from FNQ. The study identified opportunities to improve export efficiency, reduce freight costs and strengthen regional supply chains by increasing the use of Cairns as an export gateway. The project developed a roadmap to support the region’s “Export 2030” vision, including recommendations to secure additional air freight capacity, improve export readiness among producers, strengthen industry collaboration and support investment in enabling infrastructure such as the proposed Regional Trade Distribution Centre at Cairns Airport. By identifying practical actions to improve supply chain coordination and export capability, the project provided a pathway for FNQ producers, exporters and industry stakeholders to capture greater value from international markets, support regional economic growth and position Far North Queensland as a leading exporter of premium agricultural products to Asia.

Northern Australia aquaculture industry situational analysis study

The objectives of this project were to identify key challenges and opportunities facing the northern Australian aquaculture sector, and to explore potential solutions and/or identify the most strategic research projects for further investment. The scope of the study included infrastructure, policy, investment, environmental factors, production, knowledge, training and human capital gaps. This situational analysis examined current industry characteristics – including industry size, production, income, productivity measures and employment levels – to understand capacity and scalability limitations. It included, but was not limited to, an examination of infrastructure, biosecurity, animal health management, the investment landscape, policy, training and human capital gaps, and the research or alternative solutions to address these issues. A Northern Aquaculture Industry Vision 2028 was developed as part of this study. This vision and strategy were created in collaboration with Indigenous and non-Indigenous stakeholders, associations, aquaculture farmers, researchers, government and non-government organisations, through a series of focus group sessions. Over 350 participants engaged through surveys, workshops, webinars, and direct communication, ensuring broad industry input. Potential for a fivefold increase in production by 2030, reaching over $1.3 billion GVP annually and creating 1,400–2,300 new jobs.

Mackay, Isaac, Whitsunday agribusiness export supply chain mapping study

The Mackay-Isaac-Whitsunday (MIW) Agribusiness Export Supply Chain Mapping Study examined the region’s agricultural production, processing, logistics and export pathways to identify opportunities for strengthening agribusiness exports and supporting long-term regional growth. The study mapped the export freight task for key commodities including beef, sugarcane, horticulture, broadacre crops and seafood, while also identifying potential domestic and international market opportunities for the region. The project found that much of the region’s agricultural output leaves the MIW region for processing or export through ports outside the area, highlighting opportunities to improve competitiveness through targeted investment in logistics, processing, water and enabling infrastructure. The study also identified actions to support implementation of the Growing Greater Whitsunday Agri-food Strategy, including regional export development planning, export readiness initiatives and stronger coordination across supply chains. The findings have provided government, industry and regional stakeholders with an evidence base for future investment and decision-making. By improving understanding of supply chain constraints and market opportunities, the project has helped position the region to expand agricultural production, strengthen export capability and support a more resilient and diversified regional economy. Economic modelling undertaken as part of the study indicated that a one per cent increase in exports could generate up to $21.8 million in additional regional output and support up to 72 jobs across the region.