Australia has reduced its wheat acreage by 17 % in favour of barley and rapeseed

Australia’s wheat area in 2026 declined by 16.6% from last year, while barley plantings increased by 14.4%, according to Digital Agriculture Services (DAS). Satellite monitoring confirmed a significant shift in planted area away from wheat toward barley and canola.

One of the main reasons was lower expected returns from wheat at the time planting decisions were made. Australian farmers also faced higher fuel and fertilizer costs, which influenced their crop choices. However, the market changed sharply after most planting decisions had been made, with global wheat prices rising by more than 50% since the start of the year and reaching their highest level in more than three years.

The largest decline was recorded in Queensland, where a lack of planting rainfall reduced the wheat area by 38.6%, while the state’s total winter crop area fell by almost 40%. In New South Wales, wheat plantings declined by 24.5%, while barley area increased by 21%.

In Western Australia, the country’s largest grain-producing state, wheat area declined by 17%, while barley plantings increased by 24%. Wheat accounted for 37.9% of the state’s total cropped area, down from 45.4% last year, while the overall winter crop area remained almost unchanged.

The reduction in wheat area was considerably smaller in South Australia and Victoria, at 1.7% and 4.1% respectively. Crop establishment in these states progressed well ahead of normal, while winter crops in Queensland continue to lag significantly due to insufficient moisture.

Tags: Australia, barley, wheat, rapeseed, sown area, planted acreage