Livestock industries generated $1,382 million in value from the region representing 38% of the total value of primary industries from the Eastern region with beef production the principal activity valued at $693.8 million in 2019-20. Beef production was derived mainly from the North Coast $228.5 million, Hunter $211.0 million and the South East $234.6 million areas. In addition, poultry production contributed some $472.6 million and represented 56% of the state’s total poultry production by value predominantly from farms in the Greater Sydney and Hunter areas.
Livestock products including milk and egg production are also major activities in the Eastern region. Milk production was valued at $441.9 million in 2019-20, an increase of 11% over the previous year attributed in part to increasing milk prices in the later part of the year as processors chased supply. Egg production in the Greater Sydney area decreased in value terms over the previous year by 17% to $53.2 million, similarly the Hunter area experienced a decline in production of 5% to $68.5 million. In contrast, production in some inland areas, such as the Central Tablelands experienced increased egg production.
Horticulture activities in the Eastern region include blueberry and macadamia nut production about the North Coast with production valued at $252.7 million and $98.9 million respectively in 2019-20. Vegetable production worth $196.6 million, from the Greater Sydney area with its ready proximity to market, represented 46% of the state’s total value of vegetable production in 2019-20. Other significant horticulture industries in the Greater Sydney area included nurseries with a value of $126 million in 2019-20, a 9% increase over the previous year., and turf production, producing 73% of turf in NSW by value, totalling $84.3 million.