Albany zone close to topping 2021 yields as CBH receival passes 4.2Mt

The Albany zone needs less than 100,000 tonnes to pass its harvest total received by CBH Group last year, despite a slow start to this year’s harvest in many areas.

CBH Group, the State’s leading grain marketeer and handler, has reported receiving 4.223Mt from the Albany zone so far from this season’s harvest.

It received more than 340,000 tonnes in the past week after reporting receival of 3.879Mt on January 3.

Last year the total received by the group for the Albany zone topped out at 4.3Mt by the end of harvest on February 4.

Industry forecast from December, compiled by the Grains Industry Association of WA, indicated the Albany zone was heading for an estimated 5.13Mt harvest this season.

Farms from the zone are expected to produce 2.5Mt of barley, 1.3 Mt of wheat, 1Mt of canola, 250,000 tonnes of of oats, 60,000 tonnes of lupins and 20,000 tonnes of pulses.

The December report estimated total grain production for the west of the zone would be greater than 2021 which was already a “very good year for growers.”

The report said harvest had been slow in the south of zone due to continued heavier than normal rainfall. , but that yields were “still comparable to last year” and the east was also estimated to be “on par” with 2021’s “extraordinary year” for yields.

The report also estimates WA is heading for another record topping harvest of 24.7Mt.

An updated GIWA January report is expected later this week.