Staying competitive in international markets 

Agriculture remains one of Australia’s most powerful economic engines says CBA Agriculture Economist Dennis Voznesenski. 

“Australian farmers are rapidly innovating and scaling to stay competitive with international peers. The drive to stay relevant in a very competitive global market is helping grow the Australian agricultural sector,” he said.  

2025 is proving broadly positive for Australian farmers.

Despite droughts in parts of South Australia and Victoria, national winter crop production remains resilient. Wheat and barley prices have softened, but strong local yields provide optimism. Canola is a standout, and in November Australia loaded the first shipment of canola to China in five years. With this year’s canola crop possibly the second largest on record, the return of China is welcome news. 

Livestock is also holding firm, supported by global demand, Voznesenski said. “China’s appetite for beef remains healthy, and US imports are at record import levels.” 

Regional strength and diversity  

Few regions illustrate Australia’s agricultural scale and diversity better than Griffith in the Riverina. 

“One in four bottles of wine produced in Australia comes from Griffith,” Mayor Doug Curran said. “It’s also home to a third of the nation’s citrus.” 

Griffith is a prime example of the kind of diversity that makes Australian agriculture so resilient, CBA General Manager in Regional and Agribusiness Banking Josh Foster said. 

“From citrus and wine to grains and cotton, the Riverina shows how diversity and innovation keep regional economies strong.” 

“The biggest talking point in my community right now is opportunity” 
– CBA Agri exec Tom Rookyard 
Opportunity in an unpredictable future 

Across the country, farmers are balancing a mix of optimism and practical responses to challenges. In Northern NSW producers are feeling positive despite global market volatility, CBA Agri Executive Tom Rookyard said. 

“The biggest talking point in my community right now is opportunity. Beef prices in America are influencing our markets, and that’s turning into opportunity for producers out here,” he said. 

Further south, in Victoria’s northwest, resilience is the focus.  

“Right now everyone’s talking about how tough it is balancing rising input costs with unpredictable weather, whether it’s fuel, fertiliser or feed. We’re all trying to plan for a future that’s harder to predict,” said Gabriela Munari, CBA Agribusiness Analyst.