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Australian canola harvest delivers another record

Despite one of the most challenging canola harvests the East Coast has ever seen, the national canola crop this year will year deliver another record, potentially exceeding 7.5 million tonnes.

Despite one of the most challenging canola harvests the East Coast has ever seen, the national canola crop this year will year deliver another record, potentially exceeding 7.5 million tonnes. Western Australia alone will deliver what would have been regarded as a strong national crop a few years ago, of over 4.2million tonnes.

“Exceptional conditions in WA and SA this year have delivered strong yields, on the back of a significant lift in area of 7% and 25% respectively, while in NSW and Victoria the harvest has been much better than expected” said Nick Goddard, CEO of Australian Oilseeds Federation.

“Waterlogging, disease and crop losses due to flooding in NSW and Victoria, while devastating for affected farmers, have not significantly impacted the volumes we are seeing delivered across those states. Overall, quality has been fit for purpose and oil levels in the average range.”

The AOF introduced a seasonal receival grade for canola this year which has enabled many growers to deliver grain that might otherwise have been rejected. This standard lifted the allowable mouldy seed count from 5 per thousand to 40 per thousand.

“The absolute size of this year’s crop is testament to the investment in disease management, best practice agronomy, and broader farming-systems work that has been undertaken in recent years” Mr Goddard said. “It is also a recognition of Australian canola growers’ adoption of best practice and response to market signals” he said.

The record Australian crop comes as the USDA forecasts global record oilseed production of 644 million tonnes, up 7% on last year.  Soybean production is expected to come in just under 400 million tonnes, which is a record, while canola/rapeseed is also expected to reach a record of 84.3 million tonnes, despite a drop in yield for the Canadian crop and ongoing challenges in Ukraine. The loss of production in Sunflower seed, projected to be 12%, will provide support for alternate oils such as canola. The record production levels are resulting in good global oilseed stock levels, despite strong demand for food and biodiesel usage

The US EPA recently approved canola oil-derived renewable diesel as an advanced biofuels under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program, which is likely to further strengthen global demand for canola.

Canola Harvest Estimates (as at 19 Dec 2022) (‘000 tonnes)

NSW

1350

Vic

1400

SA

610

WA

4240

Tas/Qld

20

NATIONAL

7620

Source: AOF, ABARES, GIWA

ENDS

Contact: Nick Goddard

Phone: 02 80077553

Email: nick_goddard@australianoilseeds.com