7122.0.55.001 - Stocks of Grain Held by Bulk Handling Companies and Grain Traders, Australia, Mar 2004  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 30/04/2004   
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ABOUT THIS PUBLICATION

This publication contains estimates of the quantity of grain stored in grain storage facilities operated by bulk grain handling companies and major grain traders in Australia as at 31 March 2004.


KEY POINTS

The total quantity of grain held in storage facilities operated by bulk grain handling companies and major grain traders at 31 March 2004 was 24,206,300 tonnes, a 23% reduction on the December 2003 level but still nearly double the March 2003 holding of 12,987,900 tonnes.

Over the three month period to 31 March 2004, wheat stocks declined 20%, from 20,509,300 tonnes to 16,429,500 tonnes. Barley stocks also declined, falling 32% from 7,843,500 tonnes to 5,360,700 tonnes. The quantity of oats stocks fell by 17% to 239,400 tonnes in the three months to 31 March 2004.

While the March 2004 stocks of the major grains of wheat and barley were roughly double their March 2003 levels, the rate of decline over their respective previous quarters' levels was consistent. The December 2003/March 2004 fall in wheat stocks of 20% was not far short of the December 2002/March 2003 decline of 24%. The equivalent barley comparison showed falls of 32% and 28% respectively. Overall, the total fall in grains stocks in the 2004 March quarter of 23% is similar to the 2003 March quarter decline of 25%.

STOCKS OF GRAIN HELD BY BULK HANDLING COMPANIES AND GRAIN TRADERS, AUSTRALIA
Dec. 2002
March 2003
June 2003
Sept. 2003
Dec. 2003
March 2004
'000 tonnes
'000 tonnes
'000 tonnes
'000 tonnes
'000 tonnes
'000 tonnes
Wheat
For milling
9,633.6
7,379.1
4,606.5
2,265.2
17,084.0
13,500.5
For feed and other purposes
2,555.4
1,858.5
1,361.5
576.0
3,425.1
2,929.0
Total wheat
12,189.0
9,237.7
5,968.0
2,841.2
20,509.3
16,429.5
Barley
For malting
1,837.7
1,274.1
838.5
502.4
2,968.8
2,138.4
For feed and other purposes
1,632.5
1,232.4
872.9
417.1
4,874.7
3,222.3
Total barley
3,470.2
2,506.5
1,711.4
919.4
7,843.5
5,360.7
Oats
127.9
82.8
64.2
39.5
288.7
239.4
Triticale
45.8
39.7
19.9
6.3
83.0
125.9
Other feed grains, pulses and oilseeds
1,463.7
1,121.2
843.8
521.7
2,535.5
2,050.8
Total all grains
17,296.6
12,987.9
8,607.3
4,328.1
31,260.1
24,206.3

Note: The reference period relates to the last day of the month