MarketsFarm – Australia’s winter crop production likely beat earlier expectations but will still be down considerably compared to the record-large production in recent years, according to the latest crop report from the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES).
Total 2023/24 winter crop production in Australia, at an estimated 46.1 million tonnes, was up from the September estimate of 45.2 million tonnes but still 33 per cent off the record highs hit last year.
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The national winter crop harvest was reportedly progressing earlier and at a much faster pace than in recent years. The earlier start to harvest reflects hot and dry finishing conditions in Queensland, northern New South Wales, South Australia and Western Australia, according to ABARES.
However, much of eastern Australia recorded significant rainfall totals in late November 2023, which delayed harvest operations in the region and likely led to reduced quality of unharvested crops.
Total canola production in Australia is now forecast at 5.5 million tonnes, which would be up by 300,000 tonnes from the September estimate, but 33 per cent below last year’s record crop.
Barley production is forecast at 10.8 million tonnes, which would be down 24 per cent on the year and four per cent below the 10-year average but still up from the 10.5 million tonnes forecast in September.
Australia’s 2023/24 wheat crop is projected to be 25.5 million tonnes by ABARES, up by 100,000 from the September forecast and 37 per cent lower on the year.
— Phil Franz-Warkentin is an associate editor/analyst with MarketsFarm in Winnipeg.
