Australia: Grain and Feed Annual

Another big production year for Australian grains is forecast in marketing year (MY) 2021/22 after a strong drought-recovery year in MY 2020/21. Wheat production is forecast at 27 million metric tons (MMT) in MY 2021/22 and barley at 10 MMT, both down from the huge crops in the previous year. Although overall grain area is expected to be large, yields are forecast to fall to more typical levels from last year’s record barley, and near record wheat, yields. Wheat exports are set to decline to 19 MMT in the forecast year from a historically high volume estimated at 23 MMT in MY 2020/21. Similarly, barley exports are forecast to reduce to 4.5 MMT from 7 MMT. Sorghum production is forecast to decline slightly in MY 2021/22 to 1.4 MMT after a strong rebound in MY 2020/21. Rice production is forecast to continue its recovery from the drought and rise to 440,000 metric tons (MT) (milled basis) in MY 2021/22 and Australia is set to shift back to being a net exporter of rice.