ABARES releases initial forecasts for winter crops

expected to be offset by lower yields. Lentil production at 1.5Mt is forecast to be up 17pc on last year, and planted over a record area of 1.1Mha. Australian area planted to all winter crops, including the abovementioned, is forecast to decline marginally in 2025-26 to 24.9M hectares, 10pc above the 10-year average to 2024-25, and the second highest on record. A forecast increase in area planted to winter crops in Western Australia is likely to be more than offset by falls in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia. Area planted to wheat is forecast to fall by 3pc to 12.6Mha, while the area planted to barley is forecast to increase by 2pc to 4.7Mha. The longer planting window for cereals is also expected to result in some late plantings following upcoming forecast rainfall events. Area planted to canola is forecast to fall by 1pc to 3.4Mha in 2025-26, with the reduction in area planted in Vic, SA, and southern NSW due to dry conditions almost offset by the ...