Below are some ‘fast facts’ on the Australian rice industry
- Rice has been produced commercially in Australia for
the past 80 years.
- Australia grows rice which suits the Australian climate, and has developed specific breeds for rice suited to Australia.
- In the 1990’s the Australian rice industry improved
its water use efficiency by 60%.
- In the past 10 years the Australian rice industry has
improved its water efficiency by 44% and uses 50% less water then
the world average.
- Rice growers in other countries use up to five times
more water to grow the same amount of rice as their Australian
counterparts.
- The rice industry is not the largest user of water in
Australian agriculture.
- The rice industry is the first agricultural industry
in Australia to initiate a biodiversity plan, greenhouse reduction
strategy and an environmental policy.
- Australia produces around 1 million tones of rice per
year, feeding up to 40 million people each day.
- Australian rice is recognised worldwide for its high
quality and is demanded by the higher priced international markets.
- Each year the industry earns around $800 million in revenue,
which includes nearly $400 million from exports to over 60 countries.
- Remaining soil moisture following a rice crop is used
for subsequent crops such as wheat.
- Australian rice yields at around 10 tonnes per hectare
are the highest in the world.
- Rice growing is Australia’s most regulated agricultural
industry in terms of land and water use, and environmental impacts.
Much of this regulation has been industry-initiated.
- Australia’s domestic market for rice is growing
with consumption increasing from around 2kg per person to 10kg
per person at present.
Further information can be found by downloading the following
fact sheets:
Australian rice growers are continually improving their water use efficiency
Water restrictions in urban Australia have nothing to do with rice farms
Rice is a valuable crop to Australia
Rice varieties grown in Australia are not the same as those grown in Asia
Water used on rice is not the same as drinking water
Rice farms promote biodiversity
Rice is not the agricultural product which uses the most water
If there’s no water, there’s no rice crop
Rice growers are committed to the environment
