ABS reveals major production areas for wheat, barley, canola

DATA released last month by the Australian Bureau of Statistics has revealed the top 10 production areas for Australia’s three major winter crops in 2022-23.

Statistical areas in Western Australia hold the top three positions in all three crops — wheat, barley, and canola — while the Moree region in New South Wales placed fourth for both wheat and barley production.

Canola data shows the dominance of WA in Australia’s biggest oilseed crop, with eight of the top 10 spots.

The data was released on 14 June 2024, and marks the first release of agricultural statistics produced using new methods and data sources, including satellite-derived mapping from DAS which indicates crop type and area.

The release also outlines production sold for Australia’s eight largest winter crops, with wheat on 41.2 million tonnes (Mt), barley on 13.5Mt and canola on 8.9Mt heading the list.

ABS data indicates WA sold 14.7Mt of Australia’s wheat in 2022-23, followed by NSW with 11.2Mt, and their sales formed 60 percent of the national total given a collective value of A$13.5 billion.

On barley, WA topped the state ladder with 5.7Mt sold, more than double that of South Australia in second place with 2.8Mt; national barley sales were valued locally at $3.7B.

ABS has pegged the local value of Australia’s 2022-23 canola crop at $6.6B, with WA the major producer on 4.1Mt, followed by NSW on 2.5Mt.

Source: Grain Central