Record poor harvest forecast for Australian rice
Updated
Australia's rice crop this year is set to be the smallest since the industry began in the 1920s, as years of drought and water restrictions take their toll.
The Riverina area in the eastern state of New South Wales has historically produced much of the Australian rice crop, but production this year has fallen by 90 per cent.
Rice grower Noel Graham says he will not be harvesting any rice at all.
"For a lot of people, this year will be the last throw of the dice I think," he said.
Deniliquin's rice mill in southern New South Wales is the biggest in the southern hemisphere, but the town's mill is now being run by maintenance staff and hasn't processed any rice since last December.
Rice Growers Association spokesman Les Gordon says the industry still has a future in Australia despite the production downturn.
"In a world that's facing a looming food shortage it's a great way to convert water to meals there's no doubt about that," he said.
But with growers facing a second year with no water allocation a full recovery is not expected for several years.
