Australia’s crocodile farming industry is confronting three major challenges that could affect its long-term profitability and international competitiveness, according to analysis by ARR.News contributor Pavel Kuliuk. The most significant issue is the industry’s heavy reliance on export markets for premium crocodile skins, which are primarily used in luxury fashion products. Around 90 per cent of Australian crocodile skins are exported, with the Northern Territory producing the majority of the nation’s supply through 14 of Australia’s 25 crocodile farms.

Kuliuk argues that the industry’s success is increasingly shaped by overseas public opinion and tighter regulations in key markets such as the European Union, the United States, China and India. Growing demand for certified and ethically sourced materials means producers are under pressure to demonstrate higher animal welfare and traceability standards. A secondary challenge is the sector’s relatively modest economic scale, which may limit its ability to respond quickly to international market changes.

The third issue is Australia’s regulatory and lobbying framework, which the article suggests has been slow to modernise industry standards. Central to the discussion is the 2009 Code of Practice on the Humane Treatment of Wild and Farmed Australian Crocodiles. Although the code was intended to be reviewed within five years and rewritten within ten, it has not been substantially updated despite significant changes in global expectations.

The article notes that the Northern Territory crocodile industry has expanded rapidly, with turnover increasing from approximately $25 million in 2011 to an estimated $151 million in 2025. However, the author argues that maintaining access to international markets will require updated standards that align with contemporary animal welfare requirements and ethical sourcing expectations.