Australian weather bureau forecasts wet months after dry June

Reuters
·1 min read
FILE PHOTO: The crop is seen in a wheat field ahead of annual harvest near Moree

CANBERRA (Reuters) - Most of Australia's main cropping regions are likely to endure a dry June but should grow significantly wetter from July, the country's weather bureau said on Thursday.

Though a dry June could worry farmers, particularly in areas such as Western Australia and South Australia that have mostly been dry in recent months, the outlook should support the country's crop production.

Australia is a major exporter of winter wheat, barley and canola, and bigger harvests would boost global supply.

Planting is wrapping up in Australia's main cropping areas in the southwest and southeast regions of the country. Analysts predict a wheat harvest of around 28-30 million metric tons in the 2024/25 season, slightly above last season's level.

(Reporting by Peter Hobson; Editing by Rashmi Aich)