SYDNEY, Australia (Reuters) – A private grains forecaster increased its estimates for Australia’s 2003-04 barley crop to 6.46 million tonnes due to favourable sowing conditions.
In its fourth forecast for the crop year, Australian Wheat Forecasters Pty Ltd. increased its forecast from 6.28 million tonnes last month, based on secure crop prospects in the country’s southern states.
Last year, Australia’s barley suffering the worst drought in 100 years.
Conditions have improved in New South Wales, although several rains are needed before the harvest because soil moisture reserves are still poor, the forecaster said.
There has been a solid improvement in crop prospects in South Australia, with some rain every week supporting growth.
Conditions had been favourable over the past month for Western Australia crops, buoyed by good rain.
