Australia’s winter crop sector has bounced back strongly in 2024–25, with production up 22 per cent and the total value of crops sold rising 20 per cent to $22.5 billion, according to new data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

Producers sold 61.1 million tonnes of winter broadacre crops during the financial year, marking a significant recovery after softer conditions the year before.

ABS head of agriculture statistics Trent Lind said the growth reflected improved seasonal conditions and strong market demand.

“Winter crop production rose 22 per cent in 2024–25. This increase led to a 20 per cent rise in the value of winter crops sold, coming in at $22.5 billion dollars for local producers,” Mr Lind said.

He noted that around 2 per cent of the reported increase in value was due to the inclusion of faba bean and field pea statistics, which are being published for the first time under the ABS’s modernised data approach.

Despite the rebound, production and value remain below the record-breaking 2022–23 financial year, when bumper crops saw 68.6 million tonnes sold at a value of $26.3 billion.

Chickpeas recorded the most dramatic growth, with 2.0 million tonnes sold in 2024–25, up from just 0.5 million tonnes the previous year.

“Local producers sold $1.7 billion worth of chickpeas in 2024–25, up from $0.4 billion in 2023–24,” Mr Lind said.

The sharp increase was driven by ideal growing conditions and stronger international demand, particularly following India’s temporary suspension of tariffs on chickpeas.

Wheat, barley and canola continued to dominate winter crop production, accounting for 91 per cent of all winter crops sold.

The release also included new area-level insights, with Moree Surrounds identified as the highest producing area for both chickpeas and wheat, leading total grains production nationally.

Under the updated reporting, Australian producers sold 733,000 tonnes of faba beans - enough to make an estimated 4.9 billion serves of curry, based on a 150-gram serving size.

The ABS said expanded crop coverage and more detailed geographic data are part of its ongoing effort to modernise Australia’s agricultural statistics program.