October 27, 2003

Australia's New South Wales Wheat Output Forecast Falls

The Agriculture Department in Australia's New South Wales state Monday formally downgraded its estimate of wheat output this crop year ending March 31, 2004.

Wheat production in the state now is now projected at 4.46 million metric tons, well down from around the 5.8 million tons estimated in mid-September.

"Yield prospects for all crops have been reduced by above average temperatures and drying winds during the third week of September, followed by late frosts," the department said in a crop report.

"Substantial rainfall is needed during late October and early November to maintain the yield potential of southern crops," it added.

A national wheat production forecast issued Sept. 9 by the government's Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics of 24.1 million tons was built on New South Wales production estimated at the time of 7.2 million tons.

Since then, estimates of wheat production in South Australia and Western Australia have increased.