Victoria is the driving force of advanced manufacturing in Australia, and the Victorian Government is building on the state’s leadership by investing in the advanced manufacturing capabilities needed for Victorian businesses to succeed and to create highly skilled, high-value jobs.

That includes our thriving agrifood sector, which produces more than a quarter of the nation’s food and fibre exports.

2021-22 was a strong year for the sector, as evidenced by the terrific turn out at Fine Food Australia in September, where more than 650 exhibitors showed off their latest products, technology and services.  

In 2023, we’re backing our local food manufacturers with a range of initiatives to help fill critical digital skills gaps and ensure your workers have the skills they need for the future.  

Victorian food and fibre exports hit record high 

Victoria’s food and fibre exports have reached a record high, valued at $17.9 billion in 2021-22 – a 29 per cent increase on the previous year. 

Agriculture Victoria has released Victoria’s 2021-22 Food and Fibre Export Performance results showcasing the strength of the state’s exports. 

The results cement Victoria’s position as Australia’s largest food and fibre exporter by value, accounting for 26 per cent of the national total. 

An Agriculture Victoria spokesperson said these results are a testament to the resilience and agility of our producers, manufacturers and exporters, and highlights the strong global demand for our produce. 

“Our state remains on track to meet or exceed the Victorian Government’s target of increasing the state’s food and fibre exports to $20 billion by 2030.” 

“We can see strong export growth across a range of industries and markets, with 10 out of 12 commodity groups registering impressive growth in export value,” said the Agriculture Victoria spokesperson. 

Key strengths of the Victorian food and fibre export sector include the diversity and premium quality of its commodities and food products. 

Grain had another impressive year of growth, up 73 per cent to $4.4 billion, making it Victoria’s most significant food and fibre export commodity, accounting for 25 per cent of Victoria’s total food and fibre exports. 

Meat was Victoria’s second largest export by value at $4.3 billion, up 31 per cent, while dairy exports recorded their highest value ever of $2.5 billion in 2021-22, up 23 per cent. 

China remained the most valuable export market for Victorian food and fibre exports, with exports reaching $4.4 billion, up 21 per cent from the previous year. 

Out of Victoria’s top five export markets, the United States and Indonesia experienced the largest growth in export value, both up 37 per cent on the previous year. 

A Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions (DJSIR) spokesperson was also encouraged by these results. 

“Our exporters continue to grow and reach new markets, enhancing our reputation as a producer of high-quality products on the world stage.” 

“Once again, Victoria’s farmers and food manufacturers have demonstrated their ability to deliver high quality, globally competitive food and fibre exports to the world,” said the DJSIR spokesperson. 

The full export results are available here.

Digital Jobs for Manufacturing Program

The Digital Jobs for Manufacturing program is designed to help you fill critical digital skills gaps in your organisation. 

The program provides your nominated staff with fully subsidised training in critical digital skill sets relevant to the manufacturing industry. 

Grants of up to $5,000 per employee are available to eligible manufacturing businesses to enrol nominated employees in a 12-week training course to learn new digital skills, delivered by Victoria’s top universities, TAFEs and private training providers. 

Find out more.