AU: Trends in Greenhouse Vegetable Production

According to the latest official government statistics, within the past 8 years the trends in both greenhouse lettuce area and yields in Australia have shown some interesting results. In 2008, there were 125 hectares of greenhouse lettuce. By 2016, that number had declined to 75 hectares (-40 %). However, the yields have increased by almost 15% (+14.5%) over the same period. In 2008, the lettuce yield was 5.9 million kg. By 2016, the most current year reported to date, that number had increased to 6.9 million kg.

Tomato increase in area, with more than a doubled increase in yields.
From 2008 to 2016, the greenhouse tomato area has increased by +32%, to 251 ha. Even more dramatically, the yields have more than doubled (+129%). These tomato yields were 31.3 million kg in 2008 and have risen to 71.7 million kg by 2016.

Capsicum, the exception - increased area with decreased yields
Capsicum (peppers) are the exception crop in this comparison. Over the same 8 years, the greenhouse area has increased by 13% to 172 ha. The yields, however, have decreased by almost 14%, down from 9.5 million kg in 2008 to 8.2 million kg in 2016.

The complete, detailed, data source with reference links for the World Greenhouse Vegetable Statistics, including all available data for Australia, is in the 2018 International Greenhouse Vegetable Statistics publication at: http://www.cuestaroble.com/statistics.htm

Cuesta Roble Consulting
www.cuestaroble.com
gwh@sti.net