Non-Food

Tasmania is noted for the excellence of its superfine wool produced mainly from Saxon Merino sheep on grazing properties in lower rainfall districts (below 700mm). Tasmanian wool averages a micron finer than other Australian wool and is relatively free from vegetable matter. It has often set world record prices at auction. Japanese importer Fujii Kiori markets fabrics made exclusively from Tasmanian wool, while Italian fabric specialist, Zegna, uses it for its most expensive garments. A major Chinese corporation committed in 2005 to use Tasmanian wool exclusively in a line of high quality clothing. More than 95 per cent of Tasmania’s wool production is exported to Japan, China, Germany, Italy and other markets.

Tasmanian merino wool is well-placed to reap the benefits of today’s demands for eco-friendly or organic production. Tasmania’s clean natural conditions, a moratorium on GM use and a relatively low use of farm chemicals constitute telling competitive advantages.

A number of specialised non-food agricultural industries have been established in Tasmania, with significant impacts on niche global markets. The state has become the world's biggest legal supplier of raw opiates for pharmaceutical use, producing more than 40 per cent of the global yield. The pyrethrum industry is also growing rapidly and supplies 30 per cent of the world's market for this natural, biodegradable insecticide.

Tasmanians produce essential oils – both edible and non-edible - from a range of crops. Volatile oils are extracted from peppermint, spearmint, parsley, boronia, blackcurrant, fennel, dill, mountain pepper, lavender, clary sage and hops.

Local enterprises also produce lavender products, cut flowers, flower bulbs, seeds and seaweed-based fertilisers.

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