Food

South Australia has a reputation for world-leading produce, grown for local consumption and international export. Our vibrant food culture supports thriving restaurants and cafés, and the ever-growing wine tourism industry.

South Australia’s food industry is vital to our economy, generating more than $11.66 billion in revenue in 2021–22. In the same year, food exports from SA accounted for $5 billion of total merchandise exports.

Development of South Australia's food sector is supported by these industry peak bodies:

Beer, cider and spirits

South Australia boasts premium regionally-produced beer, cider and spirits, loved by local and overseas consumers.

Beer

We are home to Coopers Brewery – the largest Australian-owned brewery, and the world’s largest producer of home-brewing equipment. The company is run by fifth generation descendants of founder Thomas Cooper and recently celebrated its 160th anniversary.

In 2011, Coopers was selected to brew and distribute Sapporo Premium Beer, one of Japan’s most popular beers. In the same year, the brewery was named the world’s top family business, beating brands such as Ford and Estee Lauder.

Spirits

South Australia is an emerging world leader in spirit production, with over 50 distilleries around the state crafting:

  • gin
  • whiskey
  • rum
  • vodka
  • brandy
  • liqueurs.

Beverages

In addition to its iconic wine industry, South Australia has a thriving local beverage industry.

Our clean environment and high production standards deliver the basis for quality products. Local producers use premium ingredients such as:

  • milk from Jersey cows
  • cordials made from generations-old recipes
  • fresh juices from Riverland oranges.

Dairy

South Australia’s dairy industry generated $690 million in revenue in 2021–22.

Fresh milk is available to local consumers and is a key ingredient in many dairy products, including:

  • artisan cheese
  • yoghurt
  • cream
  • ice cream
  • gelati.

Strict food safety standards protect South Australia’s dairy industry. This means consumers and investors can have confidence in the quality and safety of SA dairy products.

Exports

Our dairy exports include processed milk, cheese and butter, which are most popular in:

  • China
  • Indonesia
  • New Zealand.

Grains

Grain production is one of South Australia’s most important industries. The sector generated around $5.27 billion in revenue in 2021–22 from commodity and processed products.

Our production of grain is sustainable and entirely rain fed, without irrigation. It is grown with minimal or no use of fertilisers and chemicals.

South Australia’s crops also include wheat, barley, canola, and other seeds and pulses.

The industry employs more than 20,000 people in production, baking, milling, and manufacturing cereal, malt, and beverages.

Exports

South Australian grains are used locally and around the world, in the production of high-quality beers, breads, pastas and oils.

About 85% of the grain produced in SA is exported to 75 countries, including:

  • Indonesia
  • Saudi Arabia
  • China
  • Egypt
  • Bangladesh.

Horticulture

South Australia’s production of fruits, nuts and vegetables totalled more than 1.16 million tonnes in 2021–22, generating around $1.45 billion in farmgate revenue.

Exports

Citrus fruit and almonds are the largest horticultural crops produced in the state.

In 2021–22, approximately 74,000 tonnes of citrus were exported, worth $120 million. Almonds were the most significant horticultural export at 25,000 tonnes, valued at $182 million.

Major international export destinations for SA fruit and nuts are:

  • China
  • Japan
  • Germany
  • New Zealand.

Vegetables

South Australia produces a wide range of vegetables for the local and national market. Major crops include potatoes, tomatoes and mushrooms.

Local growers benefit from our diverse regional climates and produce high quality, clean and safe produce.

The Adelaide Hills is ideal for growing apples, pears, cherries and strawberries.

The Riverland is famous for its citrus, stone fruit and almonds.

The Adelaide Plains greenhouse producers grow tomatoes, cucumbers and capsicums.

Potato and onion growers are located across the state, including in the Limestone Coast, Mallee, Riverland and Adelaide Plains.

Livestock

Livestock production of meat and eggs generated $4.1 billion in revenue for South Australia in 2021–22.

Our focus on sustainable, humane and innovative production has contributed to the growth in several livestock sectors.

The state’s dedication to research and development also helps local producers improve production and output.

Pork

South Australia leads the nation in pork processing, which has more than doubled in the past 2 decades.

SA processes around 1.3 million pigs a year, around a quarter of the national output.

Beef

South Australia has more than 2,800 beef producers. They produced approximately $449 million worth of beef in 2021–22.

Sheep

South Australia runs 16% of the national sheep flock. The total revenue value of lamb and mutton meat in 2021–22 is almost $1.1 billion.

The SA wool industry produced 56 million kilograms of wool worth $441 million in 2021–22.

Poultry

The chicken industry has expanded significantly in the past decade. Poultry processing is now our fastest growing livestock industry.

Game

In 1980, South Australia became the first state to legalise kangaroo meat for human consumption. We now export the lean meat to Europe.

Macro Meats is a leading SA food business, focused uniquely on Australian kangaroo meat. Watch the Paroo Kangaroo Masterclass video to learn:

  • many benefits of kangaroo meat
  • ways to cook various meat cuts
  • the environment from where kangaroos are harvested.

Exports

Major export destinations for South Australian livestock include:

  • United States of America
  • China
  • South Korea
  • Japan.

Seafood

South Australia has an international reputation for premium, sustainable seafood. Our pristine waters are home to some of the world’s sought-after produce, such as:

  • rock lobster
  • tuna
  • oysters
  • prawns.

In 2021–22, SA's fisheries and aquaculture sectors produced around 73,000 tonnes of seafood, generating revenue of $406 million.

Exports

South Australian seafood is in demand locally and in key global markets, including:

  • Japan
  • Hong Kong
  • United States of America.

SA town Port Lincoln is known as the seafood capital of Australia due to the excellent quality of its products, and high level of port activity. Its economic benefits include an innovative tuna industry which produces sashimi-grade tuna for export.

Research

South Australia’s standards ensure that seafood has impeccable environmental credentials.

The state’s aquatic environment is protected through a network of reserves, environmental monitoring, aquatic animal health programs, and strict zoning requirements.

Our aquaculture zoning is underpinned by research into oceanography, environmental biology, and fisheries science. These are conducted by the following PIRSA divisions:

Processed

South Australia makes a wide range of processed premium products. The industry includes post-harvest value added in:

  • packing
  • cleaning
  • cold-chain management
  • food manufacturing.

Our finished food industry generated $6.88 billion in revenue in 2021–22.

The processing sector is made up of small to medium-sized companies, many of which are regional and family-owned. Markets for this industry include local food service and retail.

Exports

South Australia has global manufacturers processing large volumes of primary products, such as grain and meat.

SA also sends targeted exports to high-value markets in:

  • Asia
  • United States of America
  • Europe.

Food and Wine ScoreCards

PIRSA Food and Wine ScoreCards evaluate the contribution made by the food and beverage industry to South Australia’s economy. They also identify opportunities for future growth.

Download the latest Food and Wine ScoreCard.

Page last reviewed: 05 Oct 2023

 


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