qld.gov.au
Department of Agriculture and Fisheries

Horticulture is a major contributor to Queensland's rural and regional communities

Over 100 fruit, vegetable and nut commodities are grown in Queensland by approximately 3,500 businesses, employing over 14,000 workers.

Farm gate pricing

Due to complex supply chains, producers are paid many price points depending on their supplier arrangements.

Producers need to accurately understand their costs to enable effective negotiation and ensure prices received reflect the cost of production. This helps to support sustainable agribusinesses and thriving regional communities.

Most major Queensland fruit and vegetable lines are sold directly to retailers through confidential direct-supply agreements.

The Brisbane Markets is Queensland's major marketing and distribution hub for the supply of fresh fruit and vegetables. This is one supply-chain price point that reflects movements in prices received by farmers.

Explore Brisbane Markets data for the last 3 months.

Open the dashboard in a new window Open the dashboard in a new window

Data disclaimer

Wholesale market price data is supplied by Ausmarket Consultants in agreement with the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for use in this informative dashboard.

Prices in this report have been sourced by the independent Market Reporting Service in Brisbane, Market Information Services. Every effort has been made to ensure that the prices are accurate. Ausmarket Consultants and Market Information Services shall not be liable to any party in respect to any loss or damage arising from the reliance on this information. The prices in this report are provided a guide only and should not be regarded as a record of every sale from Brisbane Markets.

Farm costs

Farm gate pricing and production costs are important in understanding challenges behind the farm gate, and how these impact producers and consumers.

Production costs are driven primarily by the cost of inputs or variable costs needed to grow fruit and vegetables, such as:

  • machinery costs (fuel, oil, repairs and maintenance)
  • seeds or seedlings
  • fertiliser
  • chemicals (herbicides and pesticides)
  • irrigation
  • labour (growing, picking and packing).

Revenue and profitability

True farm gate profitability needs to account for the whole farm costs. Many producers face a cost-price squeeze, as input prices continue to rise while revenues fail to keep pace.

Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) estimates that total Australian farm cash costs have increased by 60% in the 5 years to 2022–23.  In those 5 years:

  • fuel costs are estimated to have increased by 104%
  • fertiliser costs increased by 111%
  • chemical costs increased by 79%
  • water costs increased by 34%
  • labour costs increased by 15%.

Prices paid for farm inputs are forecast to remain steady and only fall by 2% in 2024–25:

  • fertilisers and chemicals prices have declined from record highs in 2021–22 and 2022–23
  • prices for fuel, freight, labour and contracting services are forecast to remain elevated in 2023–24 and moderate slightly in 2024–25.

When contrasted with the relatively stable prices received across most horticulture lines, many producers are facing declining profit margins and, in many cases, negative returns.

Horticulture data sources and insights

Last updated: 05 Aug 2024