Leslie Massey
Wheat is the most important cereal grain in world commerce and is grown throughout the southern and eastern regions of Australia, in a region known as the Australian grain belt. Wheat is the largest enterprise in the Australian grain industry, with Australia producing about 25 million tonnes of wheat per year, accounting for 3.5% of annual global production. Western Australia and New South Wales are the largest wheat-producing states. The Australian wheat industry is export-oriented, shipping about 65-75% of its total production to more than 50 countries.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Area sown to wheat in Western Australia | 4-5 million hectares |
| Wheat production in Western Australia | 8-10 million tonnes per annum |
| Wheat production in Victoria | 1.3 million hectares |
| Wheat production in Australia | 25 million tonnes per year |
| Percentage of wheat production exported | 65-75% |
| Top wheat export markets for Western Australia | China and Indonesia |
| Wheat export market for Western Australia | Japan |
| Wheat quality standards body | Grain Trade Australia |
| Wheat classification body | Wheat Quality Australia |
| Wheat types produced in Australia | Australian Prime Hard (APH), Australian Hard (AH), Australian Premium White (APW), Australian Noodle Wheat (ANW), Australian Standard White (ASW), Australian Premium Durum (ADR), and Australian Soft (ASFT) |
| Wheat sowing season in Victoria | April, May, and June |
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What You'll Learn
Western Australia's wheat production
Wheat is the most important cereal grain in world commerce and Australia is a world leader in the production of quality, safe, and clean food-grade wheat. Australian wheat is highly valued for its high performance across a full range of uses. Wheat accounts for the majority of Australia's grain production and is used for the production of breads, noodles, and pastas.
Western Australia is a major contributor to the country's wheat production. Wheat is the major grain crop produced in Western Australia, making up 65% of annual grain production and generating A$2-5 billion for the state economy each year. The Wheatbelt is the largest producing region in the state, accounting for approximately 41% of the state's total agricultural production. Wheat production occurs across the WA Wheatbelt on 2900 mostly family-run farms ranging in size from 1000-20,000 hectares. WA generates about 40% of Australia's total wheat production, with more than 95% of this exported, predominantly to Asia and the Middle East. China and Indonesia are WA's largest wheat export markets.
The area sown to wheat in WA over the past 20 years has remained relatively stable at between 4-5 million hectares, but over this same period, production has increased strongly with improved yields, resulting in production of 8-10 million tonnes per annum. WA produces white-grained wheat varieties that generate a bright white flour and high flour milling yield. WA wheat typically has low moisture content, low discoloration, and high bulk density, and is suitable for a range of products including different types of breads.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has a strong research, development, and extension (RD&E) focus on wheat production, with investments right along the wheat value chain from pre-breeding and agronomic research to support variety development through to pest and disease management, grain quality assessment, and export market intelligence through the Australian Export Grain Innovation Centre (AEGIC). DPIRD (through AEGIC) is actively engaged with Indonesian milling companies to gain a better understanding of their grain quality requirements and the performance of WA wheat varieties in the milling and baking process.
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Wheat farming in Victoria
Wheat is the most important cereal grain in world commerce. Wheat is also Victoria's largest crop, with barley, canola, lentils and oats following closely behind. The total gross value of Victoria's winter crop production was $1.85 billion, accounting for 15% of the national total.
The area of land sown with wheat in Victoria has been slowly decreasing over the last few years. In 2015, it was estimated that 1.6 million hectares were sown with wheat, but between 2015 and 2019, the average area sown decreased to 1.3 million hectares. This decrease is largely due to competition from legume crops and an increase in barley production. The Mallee and Wimmera regions together accounted for about 60% of total wheat production in Victoria over the past five years.
Wheat yield and quality depend on the genetic potential of the variety, the environment, and the farmer's management. The same variety of wheat can perform differently depending on the soil type and rainfall regime. For example, a season that breaks in April is ideal for wheat farming, as it allows for the use of all options and provides the best weed control. Long-season (winter) wheat varieties are sown first in April, followed by mid-season varieties in May, and early maturing varieties in June. If the 'break' is later, long-season varieties are dropped for mid and early-maturing varieties.
Most Victorian soils are low in available phosphorus, so farmers must apply fertilisers at sowing time to meet the crop requirement. The rule of thumb is a requirement of 3kg per hectare of available phosphorus for each tonne of wheat anticipated. Nitrogen availability is also critical, as it is a key determinant of grain protein, alongside soil moisture. Farmers have a high degree of control over nitrogen build-up and availability through various means.
Farmers now have a wide choice of wheat varieties and marketing options. Individual research is required to determine the best choices, and farmers need to be aware of the associated fees and royalty payments for each variety. Most farmers grow and store their own seeds for use in the following year. However, when introducing a new variety or extra seed, it is essential to source the best quality seed to avoid diseases and yield losses.
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Wheat quality and classification
Wheat is the largest grain crop grown in Australia, with the country producing about 25 million tonnes of wheat each year across about 12 million hectares. This accounts for 3-4% of world wheat production. Western Australia is the largest wheat-producing state, followed by New South Wales and South Australia.
Wheat quality refers to the grain's performance to meet the requirements of its use in flour milling, breads, noodles, cereals, pasta, or animal feed. Quality is determined by the genetic attributes of the variety grown and the environmental conditions during crop growth. The same variety may perform differently on different soil types and with different amounts of rainfall.
Wheat classification measures the inherent qualities required for the grain's end use, such as milling extraction, baking performance, and noodle quality. It is assessed over multiple trials before the commercial release of a new variety. Physical characteristics of the grain, such as protein content, moisture, test weight, and screenings, are measured along with minimum acceptable contaminants and defects.
Australia's wheat classification system is managed by Grains Australia, which also manages market access, market insights, and market education on behalf of the Australian wheat industry. Australian wheat varieties are classified into 10 carefully managed classes to meet distinct quality attributes for processors and end-users. Classes include Australian Prime Hard (APH), Australian Hard (AH), Australian Premium White (APW), Australian Noodle Wheat (ANW), and Australian Standard White.
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Wheat exports
Wheat is the most important cereal grain in world commerce. The area sown to wheat in Australia has been slowly decreasing over the last 5 years. At the last census in 2015, it was estimated that 1.6 million hectares were sown to wheat, but the average for the 2015-2019 seasons was 1.3 million hectares. The area sown to wheat in Western Australia (WA) over the past 20 years has remained relatively stable at between 4-5 million hectares. However, production has increased strongly with improved yields, resulting in a production of 8-10 million tonnes per annum.
Australia exports wheat to various countries, with China and Indonesia being WA's largest wheat export markets. In the first six months of the 2023/24 season, Australia sent 2.9 million tons of wheat to China. However, due to weak Chinese demand, Australia is facing a surplus of wheat. There has been a decrease in Chinese imports and increased competition from rival exporter Russia, which continues to ship grain at competitive prices even during its off-season. This has resulted in a build-up of wheat stocks in Australia, with analysts predicting a carryover of 5-6 million tons from last season's crop.
To counter competition from low-cost producers, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) in WA is actively engaged with Indonesian milling companies to understand their grain quality requirements and the performance of WA wheat varieties in milling and baking processes. DPIRD's focus on wheat production includes investments in research, development, and extension (RD&E) along the wheat value chain, from pre-breeding to export market intelligence through the Australian Export Grain Innovation Centre (AEGIC).
Additionally, WA is the world's major supplier of wheat for Japanese white salted udon noodles, supported by a long-standing collaboration with Japanese flour millers. The high-quality wheat produced in WA has characteristics such as low moisture content, low discolouration, and high bulk density, making it suitable for a range of bread and noodle products.
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Wheat farming technology
Wheat is the most important cereal grain in world commerce, and Australia is a major producer and exporter. The country's winter crop production area was forecasted to be around 25.39 million hectares in the fiscal year 2024. Wheat is grown across Australia, with the Mallee and Wimmera regions in Victoria accounting for about 60% of the state's total production. Western Australia (WA) is another major wheat-producing state, with 4-5 million hectares of land dedicated to wheat farming.
Wheat farming in Australia is a sophisticated operation, with farmers adopting advanced technologies and sustainable practices to optimise yields, minimise environmental impact, and ensure long-term sustainability. This integration of precision farming technology and sustainable agriculture techniques is transforming Australian grain production.
One example of precision farming technology is the use of GPS-guided sprayers, variable rate technology, drift reduction nozzles, and real-time weather monitoring systems. These tools help farmers improve the precision and safety of spray applications, such as pesticides and fertilisers, while reducing their environmental footprint.
Farm management software, such as Farmonaut, plays a crucial role in precision farming. This software provides real-time weather data and field-specific information, enabling farmers to make informed decisions about when and how to apply sprays. Additionally, remote sensing technology allows farmers to detect crop stress early, optimise irrigation, and efficiently manage nutrients.
Plant breeding is another important aspect of wheat farming technology. Australian Grain Technologies (AGT), Australia's largest plant breeding company, leads the market in wheat genetics. AGT employs an intensive process of inter-crossing, field and laboratory experimentation, data collection and analysis, and genetic selection to create new wheat varieties that improve profitability, sustainability, and prosperity for grain growers.
The adoption of these technologies and practices benefits both the environment and the economic sustainability of farms. By reducing input costs, improving soil health, and increasing yields, Australian wheat farmers are meeting the challenges posed by climate change, resource scarcity, and rising global food demand.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia produces about 25 million tonnes of wheat per year.
Australia produces about 3% of the world's wheat.
Western Australia and New South Wales are the largest wheat-producing states in the country.
A season that breaks in April is ideal for wheat sowing in Australia, as it offers the best weed control.
Some of the different types of wheat produced in Australia include Australian Prime Hard (APH), Australian Hard (AH), Australian Premium White (APW), Australian Noodle Wheat (ANW), Australian Standard White (ASW), Australian Premium Durum (ADR), and Australian Soft (ASFT).
