Australia Expects Another Large Wheat Crop

Australia’s wheat production is forecast to be the second highest ever at 32.2 MMT, according to the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES), though that would be down 11% from last year’s record. ABARES says, “Timely and sufficient rainfall in late winter greatly benefitted crop development in many regions and lifted average yield potentials across all states. Cropping regions in Western Australia, South Australia and Victoria have benefitted more consistently from these winter developments than those in New South Wales and Queensland.” According to the three-month (September to November) rainfall outlook, there are high odds cropping regions in the eastern states and South Australia will exceed their median spring rainfall, while Western Australia is likely to receive average to below-average spring rainfall. ABARES also expects a bumper canola crop, with its forecast of 6.6 MMT the second highest behind last year’s record 6.8 MMT production.