August 23, 2011
Australia sees 2011/12 wheat output at 24 million tonnes
The wheat output of Australia for 2011/12 is likely to reach 24 million tonnes, according to forecast, as Western Australia's improved supply, the top exporting state, offsets lower output in northern parts of the eastern states.
The estimate is an average of forecasts by government agencies and private forecasters and compares with a five-year average national to 2010/11 of 18.79 million tonnes.
Australia, the world's fourth-largest wheat exporter, produced a record 26.3 million tonnes harvest in 2010/11, although the crop quality deteriorated following rains and floods at the time of harvest in eastern Australia. Western Australian production suffered from drought conditions.
Dry weather in north-western New South Wales state and the lower part of Queensland state is threatening to reduce production, although drenching rain in other parts of New South Wales in recent days has provided a much needed boost to crops that had been struggling because of a lack of rain.