Oilseeds experts have ditched a forecast that Australian rapeseed production dropped in 2009-10, saying that, thanks to the discovery of an extra 12% in plantings, the harvest has been the best in a decade.
The country's production of the oilseed hit 1.91m tonnes, the Australian Oilseeds Federation said.
The figure is 130,000 tonnes higher than estimates last month from both the federation and Abare, Australia's official drop bureau.
And it places the crop above the 1.88m tonnes a year before, making it the best since 1999-2000.
"This is an excellent outcome for the season," the federation said.
Growing popularity?
The upgrade reflected a 150,000-hectare increase in plantings, taking them to 1.39m hectares, with the federation acknowledging that Western Australian sowings in particular had been "underestimated".
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Australian rapeseed output 2009-10, by state (year-on-year change)
Wstrn Australia: 975,000 tonnes (-14.3%)
Victoria: 402,000 tonnes (+60%)
South Australia: 290,000 tonnes (+28%)
NSW: 243,000 tonnes (-7.3%)
Total: 1.91m tonnes (+1.7%)
Source: Australian Oilseeds Federation |
While that left sowings nonetheless lower than in 2008-09, yields have proved significantly stronger this season, reflecting better rains most districts bar New South Wales, where crops also suffered from October frosts.
The crop's improved production fortunes, combined with firm prices, may improve its popularity in 2010-11.
"Good returns… are expected to bolster rapeseed planting intentions in the coming season," the federation said.
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