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Figure 7: Relative Yield of Pulse and Canola Crops, by State, 1984 to 2003
Yields of Selected Broadleaf Crops Relative to Wheat
To provide a broad comparison, average prices of cereals, pulses and oilseeds in recent years
from ABARE’s Crop Reports were compared. Consistent quarterly price series are reported
for a range of grains at a range of markets (local feed, export, etc), and a representative price
series for each of the major grains was selected. Because some of the prices are for grain
delivered to Sydney, Melbourne or Perth, and others are export prices, the level of prices
cannot be compared directly. However, because they are consistent series over time, changes
in relative prices can indicate changes in the relative returns from the different crops.
There has been a tendency (Figure 8) for lupin and field pea prices to decline relative to wheat
since 1991, while chickpea prices have generally kept pace with wheat prices, although they
have been variable. During that same period, the average canola to wheat price ratio has also
tended to decline. The average ratio of lupin and field pea prices to canola prices declined
slightly, while the ratio of chickpea to canola prices has generally increased.