The Victorian food industry contributes about $16 billion to Victoria's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) every year. Of course, Victorians and Australians don't consume all we produce so about 25 % is exported. We share our bounty with more than 100 countries, Japan being the largest buyer followed by the United States. 

The dairy industry in Victoria is by far the largest sector. Around 42% of total Victorian food exports are dairy products. This equated to $2.1 billion in 1999/00. Full cream and skim milk powder and granules total nearly 40% of dairy exports and cheddar and processed cheese adds up to a further 20%. Victorian meat products are the second largest food export sector, with a total of $882 million. 

Ten years ago (1991/92), Victoria was exporting $2.1 billion worth of food to other parts of the world. Nearly every year since, the value of Victorian food exports has risen. The greatest leap in a single year was in 1999/ 00, when exports rose to more than $4.9 billion. The largest value growth in Victoria's food exports has been to Saudi Arabia.