Latest information confirms that another bumper wheat harvest is in prospect. Timely rainfall in early October in most of the eastern states� wheat areas boosted the yield potential of the crops which were already in good condition. The latest official forecast puts the 1999 wheat crop at 21.9 million tonnes, about 4 percent up from last year and well above the average of the past 5 years. The recent rains also benefited the winter coarse grain crops (mostly barley and oats). However, reflecting reduced plantings of barley and oats, and despite good summer coarse grain crops of sorghum and maize harvested earlier this year, aggregate coarse grains production in 1999 is expected to decline somewhat to about 8.1 million tonnes compared to 8.9 million tonnes in 1998. In Australia, preparations for the 2000 paddy season are underway and output is officially forecast at 1.3 million tonnes from an area of about 150 000 hectares. However, the final outcome will largely depend on the availability of irrigation water in New South Wales where most of the rice is produced.
Crop prospects are good, mainly for roots and tubers, following good rains during the growing season. However, the food supply situation is likely to be tight for vulnerable population groups and those who lost their crops as a result of the drought earlier in the year.
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