Record crop production confirmed for 2022-23 season

This is one million tonne more than the previous crop production record of 11 million tonnes in 2016-17.

The final crop production estimate was revealed in the Department of Primary Industries and Regions Crop and Pasture Report released today.

Production was also 74pc above the five-year average for South Australia, this was driven by an ideal spring finish for a crop generally of good to excellent condition.

Primary Industries and Regional Development Minister Clare Scriven said she was pleased the harvest is the biggest on record in more ways than one.

"With the crop production estimate of 12.8 million tonnes the largest on record, we're reporting the highest farm gate value ever," she said.

"This is a great result for South Australian primary producers, as well as the South Australian economy."

Storms across the state disrupted and delayed harvest, so it was completed considerably later than previous years.

The extended harvest meant crops were exposed to weather which resulted in some impacts to yield and quality, but with high global prices, even with some weather damage downgrading, the crop production has an estimated farm gate value of $4.6 billion, well above the previous record of $3.3b in 2021-22.

High canola prices resulted in an increased canola area, at the expense of barley, while the decline in pea area continued to a record low this year.

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Grain Producers SA CEO Brad Perry said the report highlighted the importance of the grain industry.

"We should acknowledge the outstanding efforts of South Australia's grain producers who battled record input costs, weather and disease to pull off a record crop and one that will be remembered for years to come," he said.

"With seeding around the corner, attention will now turn to remaining sub-soil moisture and no doubt, all eyes will be on the weather forecast."