New South Wales primary industries minister Ian Macdonald has advised that higher food prices over Christmas can be expected if rain is not forthcoming over the coming fortnight.

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more


Macdonald yesterday (23 August) said that the drought situation in the state remained alarming despite a slight improvement in the latest drought figures – which showed 63.9% of NSW was in drought.


As a result, key crops such as canola, wheat and barley are under pressure.


“If we don’t get some reasonable rainfall over the next fortnight or so, many of these crops will be turned out to livestock for fodder purposes,” the minister told reporters. “And it will mean, of course, a reduction in the total production when it’s harvested later this year.”


“If we get substantial shortfalls in production this year … food prices over the Christmas period could be under some pressure.”

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

Australian Food News is Australia’s leading resource for the food industry, delivering daily news from the grocery, retail and hospitality sectors to 40,000 professionals each month. http://www.ausfoodnews.com.au/

Just Food Excellence Awards - The Benefits of Entering

Gain the recognition you deserve! The Just Food Excellence Awards celebrate innovation, leadership, and impact. By entering, you showcase your achievements, elevate your industry profile, and position yourself among top leaders driving food industry advancements. Don’t miss your chance to stand out—submit your entry today!

Nominate Now