RISING lamb and wool shipments have helped Victoria set a new record with food and fibre exports reaching $12.8 billion – the biggest total in the state’s history.

According to the 2016-17 Food and Fibre Export Performance Report, Victoria accounts for 25 percent of Australia’s food and fibre exports, despite taking up just three per cent of the country’s land mass.

In 2016-17, the state’s wool exports rose to $1.8 billion, with an increase in exports to China of 19pc.

Lamb exports rose to $764 million, with an increase in exports to the United States of America of 23pc.

The Victorian Farmers Federation said a key strength of the state’s food and fibre sector is its diversity and reputation for producing high quality, clean and healthy food for key export regions such as Asia.

In 2016-17, Victoria accounted for 55pc of the nation’s wool exports, 79pc of Australia’s dairy exports, 46pc of horticultural exports and 38pc of prepared food exports. Prepared foods had a strong year, earning $1.5 billion, increasing by $164 million or 12pc.

Grains also had an excellent year, with an all-time record grain harvest, and exports valued at $1.8 billion in 2016-17 – an increase of $839 million or 87pc on the 2015/16 financial year.

Other highlights of the report include:

Citrus exports rose by $16 million, with an increase in exports to China of 38pc

Wine exports rose to $290 million, with an increase in exports to China of 40pc

Table grapes rose to $349 million, with an increase in exports to China of 45pc

Click here to read the 2016-17 Victorian Food and Fibre Export Performance Report

Source: Victorian Government.