September 15, 2009

Australian canola production this crop year is forecast at 1.72 million tonnes, up 1.8 percent from an August projection but down 8.5 percent from actual output of 1.88 million tonnes last crop year ended March 31, 2009, the Australian Oilseeds Federation said Tuesday.

Spring rainfall will determine final yields in Western Australia, which is estimated to account for almost half of national output, but solid rainfall in winter has resulted in stored soil moisture levels in some areas that will support the current estimate, regardless of what happens in spring, the federation reported in a monthly crop report.

In Victoria state, the season is one of the best for many years, while a good season also is expected in South Australia, according to the report.

In New South Wales state, rain in the next two weeks will be critical to ensure crop viability following mostly dry winter weather in much of the state, it said.

Most of the nation's canola output is exported.