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Australia does grow rice, with the Riverina region in Southwest New South Wales being the largest producer in the country, generating an average of 750,000 tonnes of rice annually. The Ord River Irrigation Area (ORIA) in Western Australia's East Kimberley is also a notable rice-growing region, with its suitable soil types, warm climate, and access to irrigation water. The Australian rice industry is known for its water-efficient practices, with Australian rice plants requiring 50% less water than those grown in other parts of the world.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Rice-growing regions in Australia | Riverina in Southwest New South Wales, Northern Rivers in NSW, Ord River Irrigation Area (ORIA) in Western Australia’s East Kimberley |
| Rice production in Riverina | 750,000 tonnes of rice each year |
| Rice exports | Japan, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and America |
| Water use in rice production | Australian rice plants are grown using 50% less water than the rest of the world |
| Water source for irrigation | Murray Darling Basin |
| Rice growing methods | Traditional paddy system, dryland rice (grown on rainfall without irrigation) |
| Water usage in traditional paddy system | 1000L – 2500L of water to produce 1kg of rice |
| Water usage in dryland rice | 0L of irrigation water to produce 1kg of rice |
| Water usage target for the Australian rice industry | 1.5 t/ML by 2026 |
| Rice varieties grown in Australia | White rice, brown rice |
| Sowing time for white and brown rice | October-November |
| Rice planting depth | 30mm |
| Rice harvest cycle | About three weeks |
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What You'll Learn
Rice-growing regions in Australia
Australia does grow rice, and the Riverina region in southwest New South Wales is the country's largest rice-producing region, generating around 750,000 tonnes of rice annually. The Riverina region is known for its ideal rice-growing conditions, including a temperate climate, clean environment, and fertile soils. The region's Australian rice plants are cultivated using 50% less water than the global average, with irrigation water sourced from the Murray-Darling Basin.
The Murray-Darling Basin, particularly the NSW Murray and Murrumbidgee regions in southern New South Wales, is another significant rice-growing area in Australia. Clay-based soils and flat terrain in the main irrigation districts of Murrumbidgee, Coleambally, and Murray Valley make these areas well-suited for rice cultivation. Regionally important rice-growing centres are found around Leeton, Griffith, Deniliquin, and Coleambally.
The Ord River Irrigation Area (ORIA) in Western Australia's East Kimberley has also been identified as a potential rice-growing region. Research is ongoing at the Frank Wise Institute of Tropical Agriculture to determine suitable rice varieties and farming practices for a profitable rice-growing industry in this area.
Agricultural tours are available in the Riverina region, offering visitors insights into rice farming practices, water management techniques, and the opportunity to learn about farming culture, business, and sustainability from local experts.
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Water efficiency in Australian rice production
Rice is cultivated in Australia, with the Ord River Irrigation Area (ORIA) in Western Australia's East Kimberley being a prime location due to its suitable soil types, warm climate, and access to irrigation water. However, rice is a water-intensive crop, and water availability is a significant challenge for the industry. To address this, the Australian rice industry has set a target to improve water efficiency by 75% by 2026.
One key strategy to achieve this target is the delayed application of permanent water, also known as "delayed ponding." This technique involves growing rice without keeping it partially submerged in water throughout the season, which is a traditional method. Darrell Fiddler, the SunRice Grower of the Year, has successfully implemented delayed ponding, reducing his water usage by around 40%. He is now exploring the possibility of growing rice aerobically, without any water ponding, in collaboration with Deakin University.
Another strategy to improve water efficiency is the development of new rice varieties that are cold-tolerant. These varieties can handle the delayed or absent application of permanent water. The NSW Department of Primary Industries has been working on breeding such varieties, including a new one called V071, which is being grown in the Riverina region for the first time.
In addition to these approaches, there are several alternative rice production methods that can improve water efficiency. These include aerobic rice, direct-seeded rice (DSR), alternate wetting and drying (AWD), saturated soil culture (SSC), drip-irrigated rice, a system of rice intensification (SRI), and smart irrigation with sensors and the Internet of Things (IoT). Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages, and some methods may not be feasible for all farmers due to cost or other factors.
The Australian rice industry recognizes the importance of adapting to changing climatic conditions and water scarcity. By adopting more water-efficient practices and technologies, the industry aims to future-proof itself and ensure rice remains a competitive and profitable crop for Australian growers.
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Rice varieties in Australia
Australia does grow rice, and most of it is produced in the Riverina region. The Ord River Irrigation Area (ORIA) in Western Australia's East Kimberley is also a suitable area for growing rice, with potential yields of up to 14.3 tonnes per hectare. The warm climate, suitable soil types, and availability of irrigation water make this region ideal for rice cultivation.
Rice is one of the last regulated agricultural industries in Australia, with Sunrice being the parent company that most growers deliver their crops to for processing. The area planted for rice in Australia can vary greatly each season due to water allocations in the Murray and Murrumbidgee irrigation systems.
While specific varieties of rice grown in Australia are not commonly mentioned, there is ongoing research at the Frank Wise Institute of Tropical Agriculture to identify suitable varieties for a profitable rice-farming system in the ORIA. This research aims to determine the best management practices and varieties of rice that will thrive in the unique conditions of the region.
One of the challenges in the Australian rice industry is the presence of rice blast, the most important disease of rice worldwide. The detection of rice blast in 2010 halted rice production in northern Western Australia. This disease is a significant concern for growers and researchers, as it can severely impact the yield and quality of rice crops.
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Rice exports from Australia
Australia does grow rice, and it is a significant export commodity for the country. The Port of Melbourne, Australia's largest general cargo and container port, reported that rice exports had increased by 620% since FY21, with 9,865 TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) of rice exported through the port in FY24. This growth has been attributed to several factors, including favourable growing seasons, the hard work of rice growers, improving industry productivity, and the successful expansion of international markets by the Australian rice exporter SunRice.
Rice is particularly well-suited to the Ord River Irrigation Area (ORIA) in Western Australia's East Kimberley, where the warm climate, suitable soil types, and availability of irrigation water create ideal growing conditions. The potential yield in this region is up to 14.3 tonnes per hectare. However, rice cultivation in northern Western Australia was halted in 2010 due to the detection of rice blast, the most significant rice disease worldwide.
The Australian rice industry has been working to improve its productivity and expand its international markets. The Ricegrowers' Association of Australia (RGA) and SunRice, a leading Australian rice exporter, have been at the forefront of these efforts. In FY24, agriculture products were Australia's largest export commodity at the Port of Melbourne, with grains constituting the Port's largest export.
While rice exports from Australia have experienced significant growth and the country has suitable regions for cultivation, it is important to note that the rice industry in Australia is relatively small compared to major rice-producing countries. Australia's rice exports contribute only a fraction of the global rice trade, which is dominated by countries like India, Thailand, Vietnam, and the United States. Nonetheless, with ongoing research and favourable growing conditions, Australia's rice industry is showing potential for further development and expansion in the global market.
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Rice farming practices in Australia
Australia does grow rice, and the Riverina region in southwest New South Wales is by far the largest rice-producing region in the country, producing around 750,000 tonnes of rice each year. The region is known for its temperate climate, clean environment, and fertile soils, which make it ideal for rice cultivation.
The Australian rice industry is a global leader in water use efficiency, and the country has adopted water-efficient practices and innovative research initiatives to further enhance its water productivity. The Ord River Irrigation Area (ORIA) in Western Australia's East Kimberley is another region suitable for growing rice due to its suitable soil types, warm climate, and availability of irrigation water.
Rice farming in Australia involves various practices tailored to the local conditions. The sowing of white and brown rice typically occurs in October-November, with seeds planted at a depth of 30mm in the best paddocks through direct drilling methods. Irrigation water is supplied from the Murray-Darling Basin, and Australian rice plants are grown using 50% less water than global averages.
In addition to traditional irrigated rice, Australia also produces "Dryland" rice, grown without any irrigation and relying solely on rainfall. This method is practised in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, which receives ample rainfall (>1000mm/year) during the growing season (November to April). The warm nighttime temperatures between January and February are crucial for the successful cultivation of dryland rice.
The harvest cycle for rice in Australia takes about three weeks, with moisture content in the plants optimally maintained between 18-22%. After harvest, the rice is either packaged for export or stored as seed for the next season. Rice grains are analysed in a laboratory to ensure they meet national standards, and they are then segmented according to quality for sale in different markets, both domestically and internationally.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, rice is grown in Australia. The Riverina region in Southwest New South Wales is the largest rice-producing region in Australia.
Rice is also grown in the Ord River Irrigation Area (ORIA) in Western Australia’s East Kimberley, and in the Northern Rivers, NSW.
Both white and brown rice are grown in Australia.
Australian rice is exported to Japan, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and America.
