CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA — Australian canola production is expected to rebound in 2020-21 after several years of subpar output due to drought, according to an April 6 Global Agricultural Information Network report from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The USDA said higher prices and much better soil moisture at planting are expected to result in an expansion of canola planted area. Yields also are expected to increase.

Canola output is forecast to increase by 800,000 tonnes from the previous year to 3.1 million tonnes in 2020-21, according to the USDA.

If realized, it would still be below the 10-year average of 3.28 million tonnes but would be significantly larger than the past two crops, the USDA said.

The agency noted that domestic crush is forecast to remain stable at 800,000 tonnes in 2020-21.

“While canola crush is forecast to remain steady, greater supply is expected to boost canola exports to the European Union and key Asian markets,” the USDA said.

Canola exports are expected to reach 2.2 million tonnes in 2020-21, up 600,000 tonnes from the previous year.

“Very tight beginning stocks, however, will limit the expansion of exports,” the USDA said.