With the 2020 Riverina rice harvest now coming to a close, we are turning our minds to the C21 crop which will be planted later this year.
While the C20 crop will be our new second-smallest on record, as expected, we have secured enough seed to enable the planting of an 800,000 tonne crop should conditions improve.
There has been good autumn rainfall in the catchment, and the outlook from the Bureau of Meteorology is positive for increased rainfall throughout winter – we are all hopeful that this will occur.
Rice 2021
Of course, the question on most people’s lips is “how much country should I leave out for rice”? SunRice is very aware that our growers are making planting decisions now. Along with water availability and temporary water prices, a key determinant will be the expected price of rice in April 2021.
SunRice is not in a position to announce a predicted price until we get a handle on likely water allocations in the next couple of months.
It is likely that we will offer contract pricing and, hopefully, the availability of a pool. We believe that if seasonal conditions continue to improve, we should be in a position to make a strong commercial offer to you with plenty of time for the planting season.
Prior to SunRice giving a pricing indication I hope these points will help:
• SunRice would welcome a crop of 800,000 tonnes
• SunRice realises that to achieve a crop of that size it must be commercially viable for our growers
• World rice prices are on an upward trend
• The Australian dollar continues to be weak
GrowRice available from 1 July 2020 
Finally – a quick plug for our GrowRice facility, which SunRice will be offering to growers again for the C21 season (subject to eligibility criteria and final approval).
The program will be available from 1 July 2020 to fund crop inputs (including water) of up to $1500 per hectare for approved growers, or up to $2000 per hectare for growers who have grown in a critical year (C19 or C20).
We will be sending more information out to growers throughout June about the program, including the terms and conditions, but if you have any queries in advance of that – please get in touch with Grower Services.
Laurie Arthur
Chairman
SunRice Group
IMAGE: Harvesting Langi that was sown on beds at Barry & Gillian Kirkup’s property at Gogeldrie.