July 15, 2009

An output estimate for an Australian canola crop to be harvested late this year has been revised up 2.4 percent to 1.74 million tonnes from a month ago, but is still down from actual production of 1.88 million tonnes last crop year ended March 31, the Australian Oilseeds Federation forecast Wednesday (July 15).

The modest upward revision comes after generally favourable seasonal conditions across Australia in June, according to a monthly crop report by the federation, which represents producers, marketers, processors and end users.

Actual production will depend on the timing and amount of rainfall in growing areas in late winter and spring, it said.

Canola is generally grown in the same areas as cereals in Australia.

Of national canola production that averaged 1.32 million tonnes a year in the five years ended March 31, an average of 730,000 tonnes a year was exported, with the balance used domestically.