BUSINESS CONFIDENCE: LOCAL FARMERS THINKING OTHERWISE Source: https://arr.news/, Sebastian Calderon, First Published April 23, 2025 A senior Riverland agricultural industry figure has questioned recent data supposedly showing an increase in local business confidence. The latest BankSA State Monitor survey, undertaken from 18 to 24 February, showed business confidence in the region increased by 5.4 points to 101.1 points, this was above the 100-point benchmark, which indicates businesses are more optimistic than pessimistic overall, although consumer confidence decreased by 1 point, to 97.6 points. According to the survey, conducted at a time when rural areas have been dealing with record-low rainfall and drought conditions, in the Riverland businesses were optimistic about improvement in the economic climate and in their own situation but were less likely to have recently added employees. Grain Producers SA chair and local grain farmer John Gladigau said “the Northern Mallee region had a significant period of drought from 2017-19, from which most producers are still recovering”. “An above-average 2022 season was the bright spot in the past 10 years, but has been tempered by two poor years since, with no real opportunity for farmers to get back on their feet,” Mr Gladigau said. Opening Lines 5 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA VOLUME 07, ISSUE 04
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