Australia says wetter weather should boost its upcoming winter crop
CANBERRA, March 5 – Wetter weather is expected to enhance Australia’s winter crop production, including wheat, barley, and canola, to 51 million metric tons in the 2024/25 season, up from 46.7 million tons in the current season, according to an agriculture ministry official. The increased output is poised to elevate global supply levels.
The 2023/24 winter crops suffered from dry conditions early in the growing season due to an El Nino weather event. However, recent summer rains coupled with the diminishing El Nino have improved the prospects for the upcoming season.
Good soil moisture bodes well, noted Emily Dahl, an economist at the agriculture ministry’s forecasting division. She highlighted that the area planted with winter crops is anticipated to expand in 2024/25, particularly in Queensland and New South Wales, which faced dry conditions in 2023. Export levels in the 2024/25 season are also forecasted to surpass the long-term average.
Furthermore, weather models suggest that the El Nino phenomenon could transition back to a La Nina pattern later this year, potentially bringing wetter conditions to Australia and further bolstering crop yields.
The agriculture ministry revealed that the 2023/24 winter crop harvest included 26 million tons of wheat, 10.8 million tons of barley, and 5.7 million tons of canola. Despite meeting the 10-year average, the total winter crop production was down 32% from the previous year, which experienced abundant rainfalls during a La Nina period.
Winter crops are typically planted around April and harvested from October onwards.
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By Peter Hobson
