Cotton production is expected to rise this season thanks to an increase in Qld area and high water availability. Modules are ready to be ginned at AFF’s gin at Warren in NSW’s Macquarie Valley. Photo: ACSA

AUSTRALIA’S summer-crop production is forecast to reach 4.8 million tonnes (Mt) for 2024-25, according to ABARES June Australian Crop Report released yesterday.

This is 3 percent higher than the March estimates, and 32pc above the 10-year average to 2023-24.

ABARES reported that well-timed rainfall boosted yields in key summer-crop regions.

“Summer-crop production was boosted by above-average rainfall during late spring and summer in Queensland and northern New South Wales, resulting in above-average yields,” the report said.

“Harvesting of some summer crops has been delayed by storms and rain across key summer-cropping regions, resulting in some isolated quality downgrades but has not significantly affected production volumes.”

Queensland’s total summer crop production is estimated to reach 2.2Mt, a 2pc upward revision from the March report, and 29pc above the 10-year average to 2023-24.

ABARES has forecast NSW’s total summer-crop production at 2.5Mt, up 4pc on its March estimate but 2pc lower than the 2023-24 harvest.

Sorghum estimate steady

Estimates for total sorghum production from the crop now being harvested remain unchanged from the March at 2.3Mt for 2024-25.

This is 5pc higher than 2023-24 and 37pc above the 10-year average to 2023-24.

Qld is tipped to see improved yields, nudging the state’s production estimate up slightly to 1.5Mt.

Meanwhile, sorghum production in NSW is forecast to rise by 13pc to 800,000 tonnes, 55pc above the 10-year average to 2023–24.

ABARES has said positive conditions across Qld and NSW were favourable to sorghum crops and offset a “downward revision in area”.

“The production of sorghum crops in Queensland and northern New South Wales benefited from above-average rainfall, with yields estimated to be well above average, particularly in southern Queensland where they are estimated to reach a new record high.”

High yields for cotton

Australia’s cotton production is estimated to increase by 12pc to 1.2Mt in 2024-25, reflecting higher area planted and near-record yields.

Area planted to cotton is estimated to have risen by 10pc to 519,000 hectares, largely driven by increases in Qld.

“High water availability and above-average rainfall across much of eastern Australia have supported above-average yields, with the production estimate sitting 54pc above the 10-year average to 2023-24.”

Qld is forecast to see the greatest rise in cotton production, up 40pc on last season to 410,000t, driven by an increase in planted area and higher yields.

Cotton production at 782,000t and area is expected to remain unchanged in NSW.

Rice slides

A drop in area planted to rice of 24pc has resulted in a predicted 23pc drop in production to 470,000t for 2024-25.

ABARES has reported that “generally favourable growing conditions in southern NSW boosted the average yields” by 9pc, slightly offsetting the drop in hectares.

Total area planted to rice is estimated to reach 43,000ha with average yields pegged at 11.01 t/ha.

Table 1: Queensland summer crop hectares and tonnage for 2023-24 and 2024-25

Table 2: NSW summer crop hectares and tonnage for 2023-24 and 2024-25.

Source: ABARES