A crop of canola growing in the Gippsland region of south-east Victoria. Photo: Pioneer Seeds

AUSTRALIA exported 386,653 tonnes of canola in July, down 13 percent from the 444,733t shipped in June, according to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

The United Arab Emirates on 152,384t followed closely by Japan on 151,871t and France on 59,075t were the three biggest markets for Australian canola exported in July.

ABS data shows China has bought Australian canola in consecutive months for the first time in what trade sources say has been years.

While only 500t in both June and July, the exports may indicate China is prepared to reconsider Australia as an origin after imposing a zero blackleg tolerance.

The July 2024 total for Australian canola exports is 9pc below the 424,153t shipped in July last year, when Japan followed by Pakistan and Belgium were the three major destinations.

According to Lachstock Consulting’s latest analysis of vessel line-ups, Australia is expected to ship 352,000t of bulk canola this month, in line with the usual season rundown seen ahead of new crop.