Australia’s agriculture, fisheries and forestry sectors are being urged to prepare for a changing energy system, with new national research outlining how producers can adapt while maintaining output.
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Energy Transition Roadmap (2026–2036), released by AgriFutures Australia, provides a broad assessment of how primary industries can respond to shifting energy markets, supply pressures and emerging technologies.
AgriFutures Australia Managing Director Brianna Casey AM said energy is now shaping core business decisions across the sector.
“The impact of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East on the availability and affordability of key agricultural inputs is only the latest example of energy costs becoming harder to manage, and supply becoming less certain,” Ms Casey said.
“Energy is no longer just an input cost, it is shaping decisions about investment, diversification, expansion and how primary production businesses stay productive into the future.
“Energy is also playing a growing role in how food and fibre are produced, the cost of production, and the strengths of supply chains.”
The roadmap takes a system-wide approach, looking beyond individual technologies to the wider settings that influence on-farm choices, including infrastructure, policy frameworks and tax arrangements. It draws on input from industry, energy providers, government and supply chain stakeholders to identify areas of progress and ongoing constraints.
The findings point to a varied energy mix over the next decade. Electrification is expected to increase in fixed operations such as irrigation systems, sheds and processing facilities. At the same time, liquid fuels, including emerging options such as biofuels, are likely to remain in use for heavy machinery, freight, forestry and fishing activities.
The research notes that many of the conditions required for large-scale change are still developing. Regional infrastructure gaps, grid limitations, supply chain challenges, policy settings and workforce capability continue to affect how quickly producers can transition.
“The Roadmap highlights that this transition will occur at different speeds across the sector, depending on the availability of technology, infrastructure and viable energy options,” Ms Casey said.
“It also reinforces the importance of coordinated action across industry, government and the energy sector to support practical and sustainable change.”
The report builds on AgriFutures Australia’s wider research into how energy markets and regulation are influencing farm businesses. Further work is expected to examine how tax settings interact with new income streams linked to energy and production changes.
The roadmap is intended to align with national policy settings, including Australia’s Net Zero Plan and the Agriculture and Land Sector Plan, while supporting coordination across industries.
Renewable fuels have been identified as a priority area for further research, particularly where electrification is not yet practical. Future studies will assess barriers to scaling biofuel production in Australia, including regulation, transport, feedstock availability and investment conditions.
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Energy Transition Roadmap (2026–2036) is available through AgriFutures Australia.
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