Summer crop production in Australia estimated to decline by 11 percent

12-Jun-2024 06:37 PM

Canberra. In its latest (June) report, ABARES, an organization subordinate to the federal government, has estimated a total agricultural production of 4.6 million tonnes in the summer season of 2023-24,

which is slightly higher than the normal average but 11 percent less than the production of the 2022-23 season. The harvesting and preparation of summer crops in Australia has reached its final stage and is going to end soon, especially in the eastern states.

It is noteworthy that the production estimate for June is 8 percent higher than the agricultural production estimated by ABARES in its March report earlier.

In fact, the weather conditions in the northern part of Queensland and New South Wales province were better than expected from the last days of spring to the beginning of summer, due to which the yield rate of many crops improved.

According to the report, the main reason for the decline in the production of summer crops during the current year as compared to last year is the low sowing area.

Although there was some increase in the yield rate, the total production decreased due to less area. The harvest should have been over by now,

but severe storms in autumn and heavy rains in major producing areas not only delayed the harvest but also slowed down its pace. As a result, the quality of grain and cotton was also affected in some areas. But it did not have any significant impact on the production of late sown crops.

Total agricultural production in Queensland province is expected to fall by 22 percent compared to the 2022-23 season and remain stuck at 2 million tonnes in the current season of 2023-24, which is 8 percent more than the estimate of the March report.

Total production in New South Wales province is expected to be 2.5 million tonnes, which is 10 percent more than March and 37 percent more than the 10-year average.