National food security: becoming critical

The horticulture sector has welcomed the Australian Government’s commitment to develop a National Food Security Strategy, but stresses the importance of a whole-of-system approach that connects food production with health, the environment, infrastructure and trade. 

A country’s foremost responsibility is the ability to feed its population. In Australia, drought has historically been the trigger for questioning our food security. However, recent events – particularly the Covid-19 pandemic and now the war in the Middle East – have forced us to think beyond rainfall and consider whether we are properly prepared for these broader supply disruptions. Given that we have now had serious supply interruptions twice in five years, the issue is now becoming critical. 

The almost immediate disruption to global shipping during the pandemic raised serious public concerns about access to food and essential services. While Australian farmers were quick to reassure the public that we produce more food than we consume – including almost 100 per cent of our fruit and vegetable requirements – the pandemic exposed critical vulnerabilities in the systems that underpin food production. The war in the Middle East has highlighted again how exposed we are as a nation to excessively long supply chains.  

In mid 2025 the Australian Government commenced development of a National Food Security Strategy, Feeding Australia. As a sector, we welcomed this initiative. It is now becoming central to economic policy in this country.  

However, food security extends far beyond just supply chains and we need to get the whole ecosystem working. 

Food production relies on a network of interconnected inputs and systems: water, energy, fuel, fertiliser, agricultural chemicals, cool storage, transport infrastructure, labour mobility and viable market returns. 

Water security: Water is fundamental, particularly for permanent tree crops such as apples and pears. Orchards take approximately five years to establish and can cost around $320,000 per hectare to develop. Once lost, they cannot be easily replaced. 

During recent droughts, growers in Stanthorpe were forced to truck water at costs of up to $17,000 per megalitre to keep orchards alive. Such costs are unsustainable. Permanent plantings represent long-term national productive capacity and require policy settings that recognise their strategic importance. 

Also, managing the mix of commercial and environmental flows requires keeping an eye on the ‘what if’ scenario. 

Fuel and energy security: The pandemic and war have highlighted our vulnerabilities in Australia’s fuel reserves, which were estimated at approximately 30 days of supply in late March, with the majority sourced through imported refined fuels from Southeast Asia. 

Fertiliser and agricultural chemicals: Australia remains heavily reliant on imported fertiliser and agricultural chemicals. These current interruptions to the global supply chain have the potential to impact of the entire productivity of the Australian agriculture sector. 

Labour mobility: The pandemic also exposed reliance on backpackers and Pacific Islander workers, when national border closures immediately impacted the pool of agricultural labour. 

Economic sustainability: Food security cannot exist without economically viable growers. The concentrated market power of major supermarkets places downward pressure on farmgate returns. Without sustainable profitability, growers cannot reinvest in infrastructure, water efficiency, climate resilience, or biosecurity preparedness. Economic sustainability is a foundational pillar of national food security. 

Biosecurity and trade exposure: Increased global trade, including online retail, has amplified biosecurity risks. New incursions continue to emerge across Australia. Strong biosecurity systems are essential to protecting domestic production capacity. 

Land use planning: Productive agricultural land must also be protected from inappropriate land use decisions. Urban encroachment and planning failures can compromise production. The Batlow bushfires in 2020 demonstrated the risks of allowing state pine plantations to be established immediately adjacent to orchards. Strategic land use planning must reflect the national importance of food-producing regions. 

Many of these challenges are complex and do not have simple solutions. However, acknowledging and planning for these interdependencies is essential. 

Australia’s orchards are long-term national assets. Protecting them, and the systems that sustain them, should be a core component of any credible National Food Security Strategy. 

Further information 

Feeding Australia: A National Food Security Strategy: www.agriculture.gov.au/agriculture-land/farm-food-drought/food/national-food-security-strategy

This article was first published in the Autumn 2026 edition of AFG.