SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA — Australia’s winter crop production is forecast to increase 76% boosted by favorable growing conditions, according to an Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) December report.

Overall, Australia’s 2020-21 winter crop production is projected to total 51.5 million tonnes, second to the 2016-17 record of 56.7 million tonnes.

The report attributes an uptick in winter crop production to favorable seasonal conditions, particularly in the New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia regions. Crops in these states were generally in very good condition at the end of winter and favorable rainfall during September and October increased soil moisture levels during the critical grain development period.

New South Wales is on pace to set a new winter crop production record of more than 17.6 million tonnes.

“Crops in these states were generally in very good condition at the end of winter, and the favorable rainfall during September and October was perfectly timed for the growth cycle,” said Steve Hatfield-Dodds, executive director of ABARES. “Production is expected to be a record high in New South Wales, the second highest on record in Victoria and well above average in South Australia.”

Hatfield-Dodds noted Australia’s December winter crop production forecast is a 7.4% jump compared to the September 2020 Australian Crop Report.

“For the major winter crops, wheat production is forecast to increase by 106% from last year to 31.2 million tonnes, the second highest on record,” Hatfield-Dodds said. “Barley production is forecast to increase by 33% to 12 million tonnes, the second highest on record, and canola production is forecast to rise by 59% to 3.7 million tonnes, the fifth highest on record.”