Australia: Winter barley production forecasted to be around 7.8 mln tonnes in 2008/2009 – higher than in 2007/2008, though below initial estimates

Winter barley production in 2008-09 is forecasted to reach around 7.8 million tonnes, Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics published in its Australian crop report as of September, 16.

Although this is a significant increase from the 2007-08 production level, it is below initial estimates.

New South Wales

Winter barley production in New South Wales is forecast to increase to just more than 1.5 million tonnes in 2008-09, a significant increase from the 650 000 tonnes produced in the previous season, reflecting an improvement in yields (1.58 t/ha).

The area planted to barley in 2008-09 is estimated to have decreased by 3 per cent to 980,000 hectares.

Victoria

The barley acreage in Victoria is estimated to have increased by 3 per cent in 2008-09, to 950,000 hectares. Assuming an improvement in yields from last year’s drought affected crop, production is forecast to increase by 42 per cent to 1.6 million tonnes in 2008-09.

Queensland

Although the area planted to barley is estimated to have increased by 12 per cent in 2008-09, a decline in yields is likely to result in slightly lower barley production. Barley yields in Queensland are forecast at1.58 tonnes a hectare in 2008-09, compared with 1.80 tonnes a hectare in 2007-08. Total barley production is forecast to reach 158,000 tonnes.

Western Australia

The area planted to barley in Western Australia is estimated to have increased by 9 per cent in 2008-09. Barley production is forecast at 2.3 million tonnes in 2008-09 compared with 2.2 million tonnes in 2007-08.

South Australia

Winter barley acreage in 2008-09 is estimated to have fallen by 1 per cent compared with 2007-08. However, because of favourable seasonal conditions, yields are forecast to be 1.81 tonnes a hectare, compared with 1.45 tonnes a hectare in the previous year.

Total barley production is forecast to increase by 24 per cent to 2.2 million tonnes in 2008-09.

16 September, 2008