Australian Grain Production Hit Hard After Winter of Drought

The Australian government is predicting a 12 percent decline in grain production year-on-year for the country’s eastern region this season after a challenging winter.

Extended drought conditions have led ABARES to expect lower winter output for wheat, barley, canola, oats, and pulses, among other commodities in the east, with a total output of 33.2 million tons - reflecting crop production that is 9 percent lower than the country’s 20-year average.

For comparison, two seasons prior, Australia was set to see a record grain output of 59 million tons.

Queensland and New South Wales are the hardest hit, where grain production is expected to fall by 38 percent and 46 percent respectively year-on-year. Portions of Victoria and South Australia are also seeing an unfavorable growing season, where grain output is expected to fall by 29 percent in Victoria, and by 5 percent in South Australia.

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