Industry Facts and Figures

Production

Australia usually produces between 2 to 3 million tonnes of oilseed crops each year. This has been as high as 3.7 million tonnes in 1999-00, largely because of a record canola production of over 2.5 million tonnes.

Canola and cottonseed are the major oilseed crops accounting for 93 per cent of total oilseed production, with soybeans and sunflower comprising a further 3 and 4 per cent respectively. Canola production is now the largest oilseed crop representing 57 per cent of Australian oilseed production over the past 5 years, while cottonseed comprised 36 per cent.

There are also small quantities of minor oilseeds such as safflower and linseed grown in Australia.

Oilseed Production by Type and Year

Area and Production by State

Exports

While Australia is a relatively small producer of oilseeds by international standards, it is widely regarded for its high quality exports and has developed some significant international markets for its canola and cottonseed exports. Prior to the 2002-03 drought, Australia was regularly exporting over 1.3 million tonnes of canola and over half a million tonnes of cottonseed. Japan, China, Pakistan and Bangladesh are important markets for Australian canola; with Japan and the US being the major cottonseed destinations.

Exports by Crop, ‘000 tonnes