October 27, 2011

Poor season affects Australian wheat quality

Australia's wheat quality has decreased as a result of the poor season and difficult harvest conditions, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

It also stated that 51% of the wheat in storage for September 2011 is milling grade compared to 89% milling grade in 2010. Stocks of milling grade wheat grain were 4.2 million tonnes at the end of September 2011, a decrease of 870,000 tonnes from the previous month. Stocks of feed grade wheat grain were at four million tonnes at the end of September, a decrease of 672,000 tonnes, or 14% from the end of August 2011.

At the end of September 2011 Australia's bulk storage of wheat grain was estimated at 8.3 million tonnes, which was a decrease of 16% compared to August 2011. Stocks were up 3.1 million tonnes or 61% compared to September 2010.

All states reported decreases in stocks of wheat grain compared to August 2011, following the expected pattern of post harvest decline.

New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory stored the largest amount of grain at 3.4 million tonnes despite a fall of 11% from August 2011.