ABARES cuts summer crop outlook on lowered cotton, rice

output. Total national summer-crop production is forecast to be 15 percent down from the 2024-25 tonnage, but is 18pc above the 10-year average to 2024–25 of 3.8Mt. Area planted to summer crops in 2025-6 is forecast to reach 1.3 million hectares, in line with the September report, but down 6pc on 2024-25 plantings. The ABARES report cited the Bureau of Meteorology’s three-month rainfall outlook extending to February and released November 20, which said there was a “decreased likelihood of above-median rainfall across most eastern cropping regions, with an equal chance of above or below-average rainfall”. “However, despite this relatively neutral rainfall outlook for summer cropping regions in Queensland and northern New South Wales, average to well above-average November rainfall in most regions has boosted soil-moisture levels,” the report said. Australia’s sorghum production is forecast to reach 2.6Mt in 2025-26, up 200,000t from the September estimate, but 14pc down on last ...