Tasmania’s Trade Remains Strong with Growth in Key Sectors
TasPorts' mid-year FY2025 Trade Report reflects Tasmania's overall stability, consistent with recent year's volumes.
Posted
11 February 2025
Tasmania’s trade volumes are holding steady, with 7.27 million tonnes of cargo handled year to date, keeping the state on track to reach 14-15 million tonnes by the end of FY2025.
Despite a 1.2% dip compared to FY2024 due to dry docking of Bass Strait vessels and forestry sector challenges caused by geopolitical impacts, growth in agriculture and industrial trade is driving stability.
Significant export growth highlights Tasmania’s resilience, with vegetable exports up 30%, dairy exports up 25%, and general cargo imports rising 6.4%. This growth reflects rising domestic consumption and demand for Tasmanian goods across Australian and international markets.
TasPorts’ CEO Anthony Donald said the consistent performance demonstrates Tasmania’s ability to maintain key supply chains and support regional growth.
“While some sectors have faced temporary challenges, demand for Tasmanian produce and industrial goods have ensured we remain on track. We’re confident in seeing continued growth through the rest of the year,” he said.
Key trade insights include 302,920 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) of goods transported year to date, in line with FY2024’s 633,000 TEUs for the full year.
Mr Donald said general cargo Imports were up 6.4%, driven by retail and hospitality demand, underscoring Tasmania’s growing popularity as a tourism destination.
“The industrial sector was also up at 8.3%, driven by core manufacturing and resource-related industries, while agricultural exports were up 30% due to seasonal demand and increasing population growth in key cities and dairy exports up by 25%, supporting strong domestic and international demand,” he said.
TasPorts has managed 1,211 vessel visits year-to-date, consistent with last year’s performance of 2,630 visits for the full year.
Mr Donald said dry docking of Bass Strait vessels contributed to minor fluctuations, but vessel activity is expected to normalise.
“Additionally, 39 cruise ship visits were facilitated up to 31 December 2024, boosting regional tourism and providing economic benefits for local communities,” he said.
“Despite challenges in the forestry sector, Tasmania’s trade outlook remains positive. The state’s growing food exports and steady industrial trade highlight long-term growth potential.”
Mr Donald said optimising container-sharing strategies and diversifying export markets are expected to further strengthen Tasmania’s position.
“Tasmania’s exports continue to be in high demand, and with strategic improvements, there is confidence of a positive growth trajectory and long-term stability.”
The FY25 YTD Trade Report can be accessed here.