CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA — Australia’s bulk storage of wheat grain in September was down 14% compared to last year, but the quality was improved with a 16% increase in milling quality wheat from 2011, according to statistics released Oct. 16 by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
ABS said the ratio of milling grade wheat grain to feed grade wheat grain has increased this season. In September, the ratio was 2.3:1 while a year ago the ratio was 1.1:1.
Stocks of wheat grain for milling in September were 4.9 million tonnes which was 69% of all grain stored. This was a decline of 1.9 million tonnes or 28% since August and an increase of 686,000, or 16%, compared to September 2011.
At the end of September, feed grade wheat grain stocks were 2.2 million tonnes (31% of all grain stored) which was a decrease of 92,000, or 4%, from August. Compared to September 2011, feed grade wheat grain stocks were down by 1.8 million tonnes, or 46%.
Australia's bulk storage of wheat grain in September decreased by 2 million tonnes, or 22%, to 7.1 million tonnes since August. This was 1.2 million tonnes, or 14%, lower than in September 2011.
All states recorded a decrease in stocks of wheat grain stored in September. With a decrease of 892,000 tonnes, or 22%, from August Western Australia registered the biggest fall of wheat grain stocks.
The largest quantity of wheat grain was held in Western Australia with 3.1 million tonnes that accounted for 44% of the Australian total. New South Wales (including ACT) was next largest with 1.8 million tonnes contributing 25% of national stocks.