SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA — Australian grains production for the 2021-22 marketing year is expected to exceed 50 million tonnes as growing season rainfall continues to be well above average for New South Wales and Western Australian growers, IKON Commodities said.

If realized, it would mark the second straight year that the four major winter crops (wheat, barley, canola and chickpeas) exceed 50 million. 

IKON said growers were hopeful that with favorable growing conditions set to continue through the spring, the production record of 54 million tonnes set last year could be broken. 

IKON forecasts wheat production at 33 million tonnes, which would be 34% above the 10-year average but 6.5% lower than last season’s record crop.

Barley output is estimated at 11.77 million tonnes, 25.7% above the 10-year average but 10% lower than last season’s total.

IKON projects canola production to reach 5.23 million tonnes, 51% above the 10-year average and 14% above the record set last season.

On Aug. 9, GrainCorp announced it plans to build 1 million tonnes of new grain storage capacity at several sites ahead of the anticipated larger 2021-22 harvest. Last year, more than 60 of GrainCorp’s sites broke all-time receival records and began developing expansion plans in preparation for this year’s harvest. 

Another large Australian grain company, CBH Group, said in July it was prepping its operations for the 2021-22 harvest with additional emergency temporary storage to accommodate an expected larger harvest.