Australia: Barley production is estimated by ABARE to decline to around 3.7 million tonnes

Barley production is estimated by ABARE (Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics) in its “Australian Crop Report” from December 5th to decline to around 3.7 million tonnes, a 63 per cent drop from the previous season.

New South Wales:

The area planted to barley is estimated to have fallen by 11 per cent to 900 000 hectares in 2006-07, following the late start to the season. Below average spring rainfall is expected to result in signifi cant yield penalties, with production forecast to fall by 76 per cent in 2006-07 to 550 000 tonnes.

Victoria:

The area planted to barley in Victoria in 2006-07 is estimated to have been 850 000 hectares, a 9 per cent decline from the previous year. Production is estimated to be 510 000 tonnes, a 75 per cent fall from the previous season, and the lowest barley production since the 1982-83 drought.

Queensland:

The area planted to barley is estimated to have fallen by 42 per cent, to 90 000 hectares in 2006 07, primarily refl ecting a signifi cant reduction in sowings on the Darling Downs, one of the state’s major barley growing regions. Production is estimated to be 95 000 tonnes, a 63 per cent fall from 2005-06.

Western Australia:

Reflecting an 18 per cent fall in the area sown to barley and lower yields than in 2005- 06, total barley production in Western Australia is estimated to decline by 36 per cent to below 1.7 million tonnes. Of the barley harvested, high screenings have been recorded, but this was expected given the seasonal conditions in 2006-07.

South Australia:

The area planted to barley in 2006-07 is estimated to have been 19 per cent lower than in the previous year, at around 1.1 million hectares, refl ecting the dry start and relatively more favorable wheat prices. The smaller area planted and well below average yields mean that barley production in 2006-07 is estimated to be 850 000 tonnes, 68 per cent decline from 2005-06.

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