7122.0.55.001 - Stocks of Grain Held by Bulk Handling Companies and Grain Traders, Australia, Jan 2011 Quality Declaration 
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 28/02/2011   
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NOTES

FORTHCOMING ISSUES

ISSUE Release Date
February 2011 1 April 2011
March 2011
April 2011
2 May 2011
3 June 2011



ABOUT THIS PUBLICATION

This publication provides estimates of stocks of wheat, barley, and selected other grains and pulses held by bulk grain handlers. These estimates are compiled from the Grain Handlers Stocks Survey (GHSS) conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

In addition to the monthly wheat estimates, quarterly estimates for barley and selected other grains and pulses are available in a separate data cube from the 'Downloads' tab of this publication.

Stocks of barley and other grains and pulses were not updated for the December 2010 quarter. Updated estimates for the March 2011 quarter will appear in the March 2011 issue of this publication, after which no further updates will be published. The publication of monthly data on stocks of wheat grain held by bulk handlers will continue unchanged.

For more detailed information on wheat use and stocks, see Wheat Use and Stocks, Australia (cat. no. 7307.0).

The ABS welcomes any comments from readers regarding the usefulness, range and quality of the statistics presented in this publication. Comments can be forwarded to: Environment and Agriculture Business Statistics Centre, Australian Bureau of Statistics, GPO Box 66, Hobart TAS 7001. Alternatively, email: agriculture.statistics@abs.gov.au, or phone (03) 6222 5939.


EFFECT OF QUEENSLAND FLOODS ON FUTURE PUBLICATIONS

Extensive flooding began in late December 2010 in Queensland and was more extensive in both Queensland and other states in January 2011. It is expected that the impact of these floods will be reflected over the next few months, starting with this January 2011 issue. Further details will be provided in future issues if necessary.


KEY POINTS

At the end of January 2011, Australia's bulk storage of wheat grain was estimated at 22.2 million tonnes. This represents an increase of around 4.0 million tonnes of wheat grain stored compared to December 2010.

Unfavourable harvest conditions contributed to both Queensland and Western Australia reporting decreases in stocks of wheat grain from December 2010, with falls of 67 thousand tonnes and 581 thousand tonnes respectively. All other states recorded increases in stocks of wheat grain in January 2011 compared to December 2010. At the end of January 2011, New South Wales had the highest amount of the wheat grain stored by bulk grain handlers with 7.8 million tonnes, followed by South Australia with 5.4 million tonnes.

The wet harvest season has resulted in a lower quality yield of wheat grain than in previous times. Of the total wheat grain stored by bulk grain handlers, milling grade accounted for 12.5 million tonnes (56%) and feed grade accounted for 9.7 million tonnes (44%). This compares to 86% milling grade and 14% feed grade in January 2010.

STOCKS OF WHEAT GRAIN STORED BY BULK GRAIN HANDLERS, at month end

WHEAT GRAIN STORED BY STATE
WHEAT GRAIN STORED BY GRADE(a)
NSW(b)
Vic.(c)
Qld
SA
WA
Aust.
Milling
Feed
'000 t
'000 t
'000 t
'000 t
'000 t
'000 t
'000 t
'000 t

2009-10(d)
January
3 856
1 734
1 044
3 789
6 621
17 044
14 642
2 402
February
3 345
1 624
1 006
3 644
5 945
15 564
13 424
2 140
March
2 951
1 450
940
3 475
5 252
14 068
12 133
1 935
April
2 667
1 301
821
3 178
4 803
12 770
11 043
1 727
May
2 238
1 137
694
2 895
4 186
11 150
9 729
1 421
June
1 997
986
608
2 566
3 727
9 884
8 642
1 242
July
1 451
678
457
2 177
3 137
7 900
7 025
875
August
1 351
603
397
1 723
2 613
6 687
5 938
749
September(d)
972
487
320
1 393
1 943
5 115
4 530
585
2010-11(d)
October
567
300
193
898
1 482
3 440
3 066
374
November
2 687
218
1 105
906
3 534
8 450
6 316
2 134
December
5 974
2 048
1 217
4 044
4 927
18 210
11 308
6 902
January
7 825
3 426
1 150
5 415
4 346
22 162
12 468
9 694

(a) Wheat grain is graded by quality.
(b) Includes ACT.
(c) Includes Tas.
(d) The end of September is used to represent the closing stocks of wheat grain prior to the commencement of the next harvest period (October to September).



INQUIRIES

For further information about these and related statistics, contact the National Information and Referral Service on 1300 135 070.