ABARES has released its June crop report which forecasts the 2021/22 winter crop to be well above average nationally but with regional variation. Winter crop production is forecast to be 46.8mt, 15% below near record high production last year but still 13% above the 10-year average to 2020/21. Mixed yield performance is anticipated to reduce production despite the area sown to winter crops forecast at a record high of 23.2m ha, up 2% from last year.

Area planted to wheat in 2020/21 is forecast to increase 1% to around 13.1m ha, with wheat production forecast to fall 17% on last year but remain 15% above the 10-year average. The area planted to barley is forecast to fall 4% to 4.2m ha, with production expected to fall 21% to 10.4mt. Canola production is forecast to increase by 4% to 4.2mt, 22% above the 10-year average to 2020/21 as area planted to canola is forecast to increase 25% boosted by favourable world prices and excellent planting conditions in WA and NSW.

Crop yields in NSW and WA are expected to be above averaged due to favourable late summer and autumn rainfall. While lower than last year’s record highs, NSW yields are expected to be well above the 10-year average to 2020/21. WA yields are forecast to be comparable to last season and above the 10-year average to 2020/21.