Agriculture, forestry and fishing

Outlook

The Territory’s agricultural sector performed strongly in the second half of 2025 but has since been impacted by flooding and fuel access and cost. New investment and growth opportunities in export markets are expected to support the sector from 2026‑27.

In 2024‑25, the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector accounted for 4.8% of GSP in the Territory, having increased by 12.9% to $1.4 billion. The sector accounts for 2.3% of total employment, with around 3,300 workers employed on average, noting there are significant seasonal fluctuations. Growth in output is largely due to increased live cattle exports, diversification into cropping on pastoral leases, investment in new cropping and horticultural developments, and expansion of aquaculture and fisheries activities (Map 4). Higher energy prices will increase operational costs across the sector, particularly for remote businesses, and the Middle East conflict has affected the supply of fertiliser which will impact horticultural production. In the medium term, growth is expected to be supported by several large agricultural land developments, along with recent significant property sales and anticipated new investment and growth in export markets.

Live cattle

The Territory’s live cattle exports increased by 15% in 2025, driven by increased demand from Indonesia and favourable weather conditions (Chart 15). Although there is strong demand for live cattle heading into 2026, above‑average rainfall has disrupted supply lines and limited exports. The sale of several large pastoral stations in 2025 reflects investor confidence in the sector that should support future supply over the forward estimates.

Chart 15: Annual number of live Territory cattle exports, by destination

¹Other comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Egypt, Timor-Leste and Thailand.
Source: Department of Agriculture and Fisheries

Indonesia accounted for about 91% of the Territory’s live cattle exports in 2025. With its geographical proximity, constraints around herd development, established diplomatic relations with Australia and strong demand, Indonesia is the largest and most consistent buyer of northern Australian live cattle.

Foot and mouth disease and lumpy skin disease, continue to be significant biosecurity risks to northern Australia’s cattle industry, with ongoing efforts focused on preventing entry into Australia.

The Territory’s live buffalo exports increased in 2025, with the number of live buffalo exported up 57% compared to 2024. This market experiences fluctuations due to change in supply conditions across Asia. Around 77% of live buffalo are exported to Indonesia, with Brunei, Sarawak and Vietnam accounting for the balance. Live buffalo is typically a cheaper alternative to live cattle, although supply is largely constrained by wild harvest conditions.

Other livestock products

The Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry reports that overseas boxed meat exports from the Territory increased to 1,930 tonnes in 2025, valued at $17 million. This represents a significant uplift for the sector, largely driven by commercial access of boxed beef into Indonesia, opening a new and commercially important market for the Territory.

There are several micro‑abattoirs in the Territory and a single large export‑accredited facility at Batchelor, which produces frozen boxed beef, offal, buffalo and camel. In 2025, products were exported to seven markets, primarily Indonesia (58%), South Korea (15%) and the United States (14%). The outlook for Territory boxed beef exports is positive, supported by strong Indonesian purchasing trends and improved market access. Domestically, the number of Territory cattle and buffalo sent interstate for meat processing increased significantly, from 26,200 in 2024 to 53,000 in 2025.

Australia accounts for 67% of the global trade in saltwater crocodile skins, with most being farmed and exported by the Territory. Gross revenue from the Territory crocodile industry increased by around 3.1% to $47.4 million in 2024‑25, largely reflecting increased production.

Map 4: Territory agriculture, forestry and fishing¹

¹ This map is produced from various sources. Department of Treasury and Finance cannot guarantee the accuracy, currency or completeness of the information.
Source: Department of Treasury and Finance; Department of Agriculture and Fisheries

Horticulture

The outlook for horticultural production is expected to be positive over the forecast period, with several potential developments in the outer years of the forward estimates. However, higher fuel prices will increase the cost of production and freight over 2026. The Strait of Hormuz is also part of the global supply chain for fertiliser, and disruptions are resulting in higher prices that may impact production. The extent and duration of the conflict remains uncertain, although prolonged disruption could have a significant impact on growers.

Mango production accounts for a large proportion of the Territory’s horticulture sector and is strongly influenced by seasonal conditions and demand in southern Australian markets. In 2025‑26, the Territory mango industry produced around 52% of the nation’s supply. Around $2.4 million worth of Territory mangoes were exported in the 2025 calendar year to countries including the United Arab Emirates (35%), New Zealand (17%), the United States, Hong Kong, Singapore and Canada (35% combined).

Melon farming is the second‑largest horticultural activity after mangoes in the Territory. Around 25% of Australia’s watermelons and 11% of Australia’s musk melons are grown in the Territory, and accounting for 14% and 9% of Australian exports, respectively. Combined exports are up 41% from last year. Melon production is expected to increase over the medium term, supported by recent investment and expansion plans from major producers.

Commercial crops of jack fruit, dragon fruit and citrus are maturing, and businesses are developing production and supply chains to maximise the benefits from the Territory’s seasonal advantage. Dragon fruit production in the Territory has been impacted by increased competition from Vietnamese imports over the past 5 years. This is pushing dragon fruit producers to seek export market opportunities. New plantings of citrus crops are expected to come into production over the outlook period after the Territory was declared citrus canker free in 2021.

Date palms have been established in Central Australia through the development of a germplasm resource sourced from successive international imports. While production is relatively small, the crop is growing, supported by ideal climatic conditions, research efforts and increasing industry interest.

Broadacre crops

In 2024-25, around 49,000 bales of cotton were produced, with an estimated value of $29.5 million. Additionally, around $8 million of raw cotton and $3 million of cotton seed were exported from the Port of Darwin. A total of 6,000 hectares has been planted in preparation for the 2025‑26 season.

Irrigated and rain‑fed hay and fodder production remains a core diversification option for pastoralists with new cereal and grain production expected to emerge as producers seek rotation crops for cotton and hay.

Forestry

The outlook for the forestry industry is positive, supported by the recent $81 million investment in the Tiwi Plantations Corporation for a second long‑term plantation. The Territory has around 42,000 hectares of plantation forestry with an estimated value of $1.45 billion at harvest age. African mahogany harvest rotations take around 25 to 30 years, with the plantations in the Douglas Daly region expected to reach maturity in 2030.

Fisheries

Wild harvest production in 2024‑25 was around 4,800 tonnes, representing a decline of 160 tonnes compared with 2023‑24. The gross value of production (GVP) from wild‑caught fisheries also declined to $44.9 million.

Overall, the value of inshore fisheries declined in 2024‑25. For the Coastal Line Fishery, the decline was largely due to lower market prices for jewfish swim bladders, and a decreased mud crab catch due to the wet season affecting availability and fishing efforts. For the Aquarium Fishery, fishing efforts also declined, resulting in reduced catch and value. In contrast, the Trepang Fishery reported increased production in 2024‑25.

Among offshore fisheries, the Timor Reef Fishery and Demersal Fishery recorded increases in both production and value. Increased fishing efforts and improved fishing efficiency, together with higher market prices, contributed to the increase in GVP. Conversely, the Offshore Net and Line Fishery and Spanish Mackerel Fishery reported significant declines in production in 2024‑25.

The gross value of aquaculture production increased slightly to $81 million in 2024‑25, largely reflecting growth in barramundi production. The outlook for the Territory aquaculture industry is positive, with commercialisation of several new species being investigated.

Territory Government agribusiness development

There are several development opportunities and facilitated projects underway focusing on growing the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector in the Territory. Priority projects include several developments as part of the Territory Government’s land releases, an improved regional road network and developing infrastructure to increase export opportunities.

Land developments

Several agricultural developments are expected to contribute to production over the outlook period. The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries continues to support these developments through land suitability assessments, advice on land tenure, regulatory approval processes and assisting with stakeholder engagement. These agricultural land developments are:

• Larrimah
• Wildman
• Sweetwater (Ord River irrigation scheme expansion into the Territory).

The Territory Government is working to identify additional regional areas that could be developed including in the Douglas‑Daly region. The Singleton Farm project in the Western Davenport region aims to develop over 3,000 hectares into the largest horticulture farm in the Territory, with gross annual revenue of over $200 million from production of citrus, grapes and other fruit crops.

Collectively, these developments provide an opportunity to significantly expand and diversify the Territory’s agricultural production and offer opportunities for new investment in a wide range of high value crops, including mangoes, melons and forestry, as well as broadacre crops such as cotton and sorghum.

For the latest data on the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector, refer to the Northern Territory Economy website.