Producers benefit from the region’s close proximity to Greater Sydney, access to the Inland Rail network, and being on the doorstep of the national and international export gateways of the Port of Newcastle and Newcastle Airport. In 2020, the Port of Newcastle exported over 310,000 tonnes of agricultural produce (meals and grains, and wheat).
Critical to the state’s agriculture economy are the Hunter’s industries in viticulture and equine breeding. The Hunter is the oldest continuous wine region in Australia and drives an annual wine tourism economy of $560 million. The world’s second largest thoroughbred horse breeding industry is located in the Upper Hunter. Its annual value-added economic impact exceeds $500 million – almost half of Australia’s entire contribution – and supports more than 3,350 jobs.
With thousands of square kilometres of fertile land and an abundant sea, the Hunter’s agribusiness strengths also lie in cattle, pig and poultry farming; wheat, grains and meals; and commercial fisheries.
Our cattle and calf sector is valued at more than $200 million. The Hunter is responsible for 30% of egg production in the state and we are home to 32% of NSW’s commercial fisheries and aquaculture.
Specialised research and education through the University of Newcastle, the NSW Government Fisheries Research Centre at Port Stephens, Scone Research Centre, Tocal Agriculture Centre in Maitland (Centre of Excellence within NSW Department of Primary Industries) and Hunter TAFE support these vital Hunter industries to remain at the cutting edge.
Unique agribusiness opportunities
Sophisticated export freight and logistics infrastructure network
Newcastle and the Hunter are supported by one of the most comprehensive export freight and logistics infrastructure networks in the country.
The region offers a rail gateway to all mainland destinations across Australia: the north-south rail corridor connecting Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne; and the Hunter Valley Rail Network connecting to the Hunter Valley and Western NSW.
Port of Newcastle is the eastern seaboard’s only berth-side rail line connected to the national rail network. The Port will also connect to the Inland Rail route via an existing heavy rail route.
For air freight, Newcastle Airport’s code E runway will open in 2026 paving the way for wide-bodied commercial aircraft such as Boeing 787s and Airbus A330s to land in the Hunter. The upgrade is projected to generate $6.5 billion in additional business activity through increased freight.
Newcastle and the Hunter are located just two hours from Sydney on the M1 Pacific Motorway, and connected to the region’s west by a network of quality highways.
With its established sophisticated freight and logistics network spanning sea, air, road and rail, agribusiness SMEs through to major global companies are increasingly choosing Newcastle and the Hunter as a home base to produce and freight their goods.
