September 22, 2008

Australia's grain intake may double on-year

According to GrainCorp Ltd., eastern Australia's largest grain handler, its intake of winter crops may be more than double the amount it received from the previous summer and winter seasons combined.

It is expected that farmers will deliver between 7.5 and 10 million tonnes of winter crops including wheat, rapeseed and barley.

Graincorp received 4.6 million tonnes in total from the previous winter and summer harvests combined.

"Southern New South Wales and the Riverina regions had not received good spring rain, and as a result crop condition and yield potential was deteriorating, said Graincorp.

They added that final grain production figures across the grain belt will be determined by conditions for the remainder of the growing season and favorable harvest conditions.

Australia's winter crop output is forecast to rebound 57 percent from last year's drought reduced harvest to 35 million tonnes of all grains, the government forecaster has said.