Australia wheat stocks down 24 percent in September

Wheat stored by Australian bulk handlers as of September 30 totalled 3.42 million tonnes, down 24 percent or 1.07 million tonnes from August 31, the government's Bureau of Statistics reported Wednesday.

Year-earlier figures weren't given, but total wheat stocks are down by more than three quarters from 14.49 million tonnes on December 31, it reported.

Wheat held on September 30 comprised 2.65 million tonnes of milling grade, or 77 percent of the total, with feed grade comprising the balance of 776,000 tonnes, it reported.

Of the wheat stored September 30, 1.25 million tonnes, or 37 percent of the national total, was held in Western Australia, while 1.23 million tonnes or 36 percent, was held in New South Wales, with the remainder in other mainland states.

Wheat stocks typically peak after harvest late in the year, and then dwindle as a result of exports and domestic use.

The bureau reported that 813,000 tonnes of barley and 1.2 million tonnes of other grains and pulses were stored September 30.