Australian crop production set to fall as La Niña weakens

Crop production in Australia is expected to decrease as the La Niña state of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation weakens, according to Argus Media Australia.

A strong La Niña pattern normally brings increased rainfall to that country.

As in South Africa, aboveaverage rainfall over the past three years has resulted in record-high yields.

Australia’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) announced recently that the agriculture sector was expected to reach a value of A$90 billion (about

R1,1 trillion) in the 2022/23 financial year, A$2 billion (R25 billion) more than that of the 2021/22 season.

However, the sector’s value was expected to drop 10% to A$81 billion (R1 trillion) in the 2023/24 season.

“[Despite lower crop yields], high water storage and strong herd and flock rebuild numbers will support strong production values, compared with other lowrainfall years,” the DAFF said.

It added that agricultural exports were expected to reach a record A$75 billion (R920 billion) in 2022/23.

For the 2023/24 season, summer crop production was expected to reach five million tons, down from the 5,3 million tons achieved in the previous season. This was nevertheless 57% above the 10-year average, according to the DAFF.

The 2022/23 sorghum crop was estimated at

2,5 million tons, while cotton was expected to reach 1,2 million tons.

“Pacific Ocean indicators of La Niña have returned to neutral levels, while atmospheric indicators that remain at La Niña levels have started to weaken.

“Producers are already seeing a change in the environment as a decrease in rainfall forces them to alter and adapt their businesses to maintain moisture in their farm plots and to keep their breeding herd numbers high,” Argus Media reported. –

FLICKR Australian farmers are already seeing changes in the environment as a result of decreased rainfall on the back of a weakening La Ni๽a.