Hopes are high for an above-average mungbean crop this season. Photo: Arthur Mostead, GRDC

POSITIVE signs point to above-average mungbean production this season, with well-timed rainfall and strong global demand boosting interest in the pulse crop.

The industry predicts mungbean production could reach up to 150,000 tonnes, matching the record set in 2016, and well above the average crop size of 85,000-100,000t.

A crop of similar size was expected last season, but widespread rainfall during harvest across the Darling Downs and northern New South Wales reduced quality and yields for many growers.

Australian Mungbean Association president James Hunt said grower interest was anticipated to be even greater this year thanks to the positive combination of good soil moisture and strong prices.

“We’re getting strong interest with good rain following harvest,” Mr Hunt said.

“There’s a good opportunity this year for growers to take advantage of the moisture in the wheat and barley stubble.”

Mungbeans can be planted from now until December in NSW, December to January on the Darling Downs, and January to February in Central Queensland.

Mr Hunt said prices were also above average for mungbeans due to reduced production in Myanmar, the world’s largest producer of the crop.

He said this equated to an increase of around $50 per tonne compared to this time last year.

“There has been a reduction in area planted [in Myanmar] and an increase in black mungbeans planted, so that means less mungbeans globally, and stronger demand for the Australian product.”

He said this demand was coming from Australia’s main market, China, and also Vietnam, and due to its high level. pricing should remain positive, despite the prospects of above average production.

Mungbeans’ general resistance to fall armyworm (FAW) has elevated their appeal for some growers over crops such as sorghum, maize, and millet.

Independent agronomist Paul McIntosh said fears that fall armyworm could repeat the damage seen in last season’s grass crops could make mungbeans a more attractive choice for some regions.

“The biggest pest we have around right now for our grass crops is fall armyworm,” Mr McIntosh said.

“It’s the one many are wary of, and that’s the one that will lead some growers and agronomists to look more favourably at growing a crop of mungbeans rather than have another crop of sorghum or maize or millet.”

He said it was still too early to tell if FAW will be as destructive as last season, but it was on “everyone’s list” as a pest “to keep an eye on”.

Mr McIntosh said, following the damage to crops seen near harvest last season, he was advocating for growers to have two sowing times for all summer crops, including mungbeans, to spread the risk of weather damage.

Heavy rain hit sorghum and mungbean crops in southern Queensland and northern NSW before or during harvest, causing shelling, yield loss, and quality downgrades.

“Two times of sowing may be a prudent option for this coming summer for all crops, but particularly for mungbeans…so you don’t have all your eggs in one basket.

“It’s not just heavy rain making a mess of your crop, it’s also if you get the rain at the right time, it could make one crop very good.”

New varieties on the way

Alongside preparing for a positive season, the AMA is working with industry to facilitate the commercial release of two new mungbean varieties next season.

The varieties, Brolga and Kookaburra, are a result of the National Mungbean Improvement Program, a collaboration between AMA, the Grains Research Development Corporation, and Queensland’s Department of Primary Industries, formerly the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries).

Mr Hunt said Brolga has been developed as a broadly adapted variety, comparable to Jade and suitable for most regions, while Kookaburra is tailored specifically for NSW, offering enhanced disease resistance.

“The initial seed production that we have just done is showing good increased yields over Jade, which is the predominant variety grown at the moment, and better disease resistance.”

He said they will be available to growers next season.

“We have just done our initial seed increase.

“We’ll do a seed increase in Central Queensland this year and that should produce around 400t for a commercial release this time next year.”

Mr McIntosh said both varieties were “showing some great promise”.

“I am looking forward to working some new varieties in the future and for them to bolster up our conventional varieties that we have had for some years.”

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