February 19, 2008

Australia forecasts wheat crop to double in 2008

Australia estimates its wheat crop to double in size this year on favourable weather condition.

However, observers said that more rains will be needed during winter after the crop has been planted.

Richard Koch, managing director of Profarmer, said that the next wheat crop should be around 25 million tonnes, comparable with the 2005-06 crop.

Furthermore, Koch said if the conditions are right, it could even reach 30 million tonnes.

However, Western Australia and Southern Australia still post concerns as more subsoil moisture is needed to keep up with harvest forecasts, Koch said.