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Rice
Nearly all the rice produced in Australia is grown in New South Wales, principally in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation area, the Colleambally Irrigation area and the Murray Valley, with industry headquarters at Leeton. There are also some plantings in Victoria.
There are up to 2,500 family operated farm irrigation rice businesses in Australia. Each year around 150,000 hectares of rice are sown, with production around 1.2 million tonnes.
Australia produces only 0.2% of the world's rice but accounts for about 3% of international trade in rice. Australian rice is recognised worldwide for its high quality and is in demand in major markets.
NSW Rice Marketing Arrangements
The Rice Marketing Board (the Board) was established in New South Wales (NSW) on 9 November 1928. All paddy rice in NSW is divested from producers and becomes the property of the Board. The Board’s primary function is to obtain the best possible return for rice growers consistent with the maintenance of orderly trade.
On 1 February 1986, the Board appointed the grower owned rice miller and marketer Ricegrowers’ Co-operative Limited (RCL) as its authorised buyer and agent. Through the agency agreement with the Board, RCL receives, stores, processes and markets 99% of Australian rice production. RCL exports about 85% of rice to over 70 destinations, while the domestic market receives the remaining 15%.
In mid-2004 the former Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation announced a review of the marketing arrangements for rice in NSW under National Competition Policy Guidelines. This review will be released in late 2005.
Rice Marketing Board for the State of New South Wales
Research and Development (R&D)
The Commonwealth Government provides assistance to the rice industry through its contribution to research and development, matching research expenditure on a dollar-for-dollar basis, up to a maximum of 0.5 per cent of the gross value of production. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry administers this arrangement.
Research and development assists in maintaining the competitive advantage of the Australian rice industry, principally under the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) rice research and development (R&D) program.
The resources applied to the RIRDC rice R&D program are raised by a grower levy on rice production under the Primary Industries (Excise) Levies Act 1990 and matching Commonwealth funds are provided in accordance with the Primary Industries and Energy Research and Development Act 1989.
RCL is a partner in the Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Sustainable Rice Production and also carries out significant product and process development R&D in its own facilities.