Drought Slashes Australian Citrus

WASHINGTON - Nov 28/06 - SNS -- Navel and Valencia orange production in Australia is expected to reach 444,000 metric tons (MT) this year, well below the country's recent average, according to a recent report from the U.S. agricultural attache for the country.

"At the time of this report, Australia is suffering its worst drought in 100 years." the agricultural attache said. "Very dry conditions have greatly depleted soil moisture and have reduced supplies of irrigation water to inland citrus growing areas.

"Cold and dry winter conditions ultimately led to frost events in mid June (15th and 16th), which are believed to have had a significant impact on citrus production for 2006-07. These frost events have affected production in South Eastern Australia including the South Australian Riverland, Murray Valley and Riverina, areas which account for the overwhelming majority of Australian citrus production."

Nearly all agriculturally significant regions in southern Australia are suffering drought conditions with rainfall deficiencies ranging from "serious" to "lowest on record". Critical spring rains, which are required as temperatures begin to rise, have not eventuated. Furthermore, various parts of Australia have experienced above average temperatures leading into summer, which have dramatically shortened typically more productive spring conditions.

The month of September experienced below average rainfall and above average temperatures for South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales according to the Australian Bureau of Meteorology. These conditions have followed historically low rainfall periods beginning with the driest June on record.

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