November 11, 2011

Australia's 2011/12 wheat output to reach 26 million tonnes

Australia's 2011/12 wheat harvest is set to hit an estimated 26 million tonnes due to spring rain, approaching the record 26.3 million tonnes reaped in 2010/11, according to the Australian Crop Forecasters (ACF) on Thursday (Nov 10).

The crop forecasting firm raised its estimate from 24 million tonnes forecast in October, encouraged by an expected recovery in production in Western Australia, usually the country's top wheat exporting state.

ACF said Western Australia's wheat harvest could exceed nine million tonnes compared with a drought-affected 4.4 million tonnes harvest in 2010/11.

The firm is also tipping that Australia's wheat exports could exceed 19 million tonnes, following a 36% surge in shipments last year to 18.6 million tonnes, according to government data released on Thursday.

ACF's forecasts are in line with other forecasters although in September the government's chief commodities forecaster said the country's 2011/12 shipments could exceed 20.4 million tonnes, setting a new record. The previous record was in 1996/97 when 19.2 million tonnes of the grain were sold overseas.