STAT Communications Ag Market News

Australia's Pulse Forecast Drops

SYDNEY - Sep 9/19 - SNS -- Optimism over Australia's pulse production prospects has faded since June, with the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) cutting estimated production for the major pulses from just over 2.0 million metric tons (MT) to 1.74 million.

A 7% drop in forecast yields combined with a reduction in seeded area from an expected 1.567 million hectares to 1.458 million to result in the lower forecast for this year's pulse harvest.

Last year, farmers produced 1.667 million MT of peas, chickpeas, lentils, fababeans and lupins from 1.463 million seeded hectares.

Planting decisions and yields in some parts of the country were impacted by "unfavorable growing conditions in some regions. . . " ABARES noted.

"Crop prospects vary considerably between the states. In Victoria, most crops are in good to very good condition at the beginning of spring as a result of generally favorable growing conditions over winter. Timely winter rainfall in Western Australia boosted yield prospects to around average for most crops in the state after a late break to the season.

"Crop prospects in South Australia are mixed but sufficient winter rainfall fell in most major southern growing regions and the Mid-North for crops in these regions to be in reasonable condition at the beginning of spring. However, crop prospects are generally below average in most northern cropping regions in South Australia.

"Seasonal conditions were very unfavorable in most cropping regions in New South Wales and Queensland and winter crop production in these states is forecast to be very much below average," ABARES said.

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