South Australia's crop production for 2022–23 is the highest on record at 12.8 million tonnes, a 51% increase over the previous year's harvest. The previous crop production record was 11 million tonnes in 2016–17.
The final crop production estimate was revealed in the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) Crop and Pasture Report 2022–23 Final Summary.
Production was also 74% above the five-year average for South Australia. This was driven by an ideal spring finish for a crop generally of good to excellent condition.
With high global prices, even with some weather damage downgrading, the crop production has an estimated farm gate value of $4.6 billion, well above the previous record of $3.3 billion in 2021–22.
High canola prices resulted in an increased canola area, at the expense of barley. The decline in pea area continued to a record low this year.
Storms across the state disrupted and delayed harvest, so it was completed considerably later than previous years. The extended harvest meant crops were exposed to weather which resulted in some impacts to yield and quality.
The Crop and Pasture Report 2022–2023 Final Summary is available at Crop and pasture reports.
