Beef Production

The beef industry is going well at present, with the most significant issue being live exports. During the wet season, when most of the Far Northern areas are isolated by the wet, the number of cattle exported live from Mourilyan Harbour increases dramatically and is good for the local producers.

Although the cattle price is currently good, increased "on farm" costs such as the price of diesel and the price of chemical for "on farm" control of weeds is significantly reducing profitability.

The Shire has the only remaining meat works in North Queensland and it is export accredited. The abattoir employs some 200 workers and is currently spending some $800 000 to improve its effluent quality.

Banana Production

From the Johnstone Shire, approximately 8,000,000 cartons of bananas are supplied to central markets. Each carton contains 13kg net weight of bananas. The combined production of the Cardwell and Johnstone Shires represents about 85% of total domestic consumption in Australia.

The value of annual production within the Shire depends on trading conditions, but is estimated to be $110,000,000. There is some concern among growers that the total volume supplied may exceed 20,000,000 cartons in the near future, and concerns are being expressed about future trading conditions.

The Federal Agency, "Biosecurity Australia" is in the process of considering an application from the Philippines to import bananas into Australia. Growers are concerned about diseases which could be introduced and increase the cost of production here. This could result in local costs exceeding the cost of imported bananas, thereby diminishing the viability of the industry.

The banana industry is a significant local employer, possibly the biggest. Bananas are labour intensive and only limited mechanisation has been possible. Industry representatives estimate that an employer requires one person for each 3ha of bananas. On this basis, banana production would employ about 1500 people in the Johnstone Shire.