After producing just 240,000 tonnes of rice last year, SunRice are hoping growing can produce almost a million tonnes this season.
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The company have set the goal of 900,000 for this season which ends in March next year. Rice Growers Association president Jeremy Morton said dry conditions and low water allocation was behind the lower amount produced last year.
“Indications are that it (the price) will be in the mid 300s (around $350 a tonne) which is a good price without being outstanding,” he said.
Growers would like to be producing around that million tonne mark but it comes down to water availablity and returns.
- Jeremy Morton
“Water supply won’t be an issue this year.”
With farmers starting to prepare for an October sowing Mr Morton said a new variety could be a “game changer” for farmers.
The new variety gives farmers the chance to sow rice up to four weeks later, in November.
“Because of the shorter season the crop needs less water which is a real positive,” Mr Morton said.
In previous years, the variety was grown on a small scale but there is enough seed available for between 5000 and 8000 hectares this season.