Australia’s wheat exports saw a significant decline in November 2024, with a total of 579,589 tonnes shipped, including 1969 tonnes of durum. This marked a 49% decrease from the 1,126,926 tonnes exported in November 2023. The drop was attributed to large pulse programs from ports in Queensland and New South Wales, as well as a drought-affected crop in South Australia.
In November 2024, Thailand was the largest market for containerized wheat exports, receiving 32,691 tonnes, followed by Malaysia with 24,161 tonnes, and Vietnam with 23,886 tonnes. In the bulk market, a total of 418,994 tonnes of wheat was shipped, with the Philippines receiving 96,198 tonnes, Indonesia 83,481 tonnes, and Japan 58,349 tonnes.
According to Lachstock Consulting’s reports, close to 1.9 million tonnes of wheat were scheduled to leave Australian ports in December. The USDA’s World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates for January forecast Australia’s total wheat exports for the 2024-25 season at 25 million tonnes.
Among the world’s major wheat exporters, only Russia and Ukraine saw month-on-month changes for 2024-25 shipments, with Russia’s forecast down by 1 million tonnes to 46 million tonnes, and Ukraine’s down by 500,000 tonnes to 16.5 million tonnes.
Table 1 shows the containerized wheat and durum exports for September, October, and November 2024, with a total of 455,281 tonnes exported during this period. The data, sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, highlights the distribution of exports to various countries.
Table 2 provides information on bulk wheat and durum exports for the same period, totaling 2,220,229 tonnes. Countries like Japan, Indonesia, and the Philippines were significant recipients of Australian wheat during this time.
In conclusion, the Australian wheat export market experienced fluctuations in November 2024, influenced by various factors such as pulse programs and crop conditions. Despite the challenges, Australia remains a key player in the global wheat market, with forecasts indicating steady exports for the 2024-25 season. Stay updated on the latest news and trends in the grain industry by subscribing to Grain Central’s newsletter.