The AIMI survey of New Zealand cereal growers, as at July 1, 2026 is now available online.
Key points at 1 July 2026 (figures have been rounded to the nearest 100):
- Difficult harvest conditions were noted across most growing regions, resulting in poor grain quality in some areas. Frequent hailstorms across Canterbury also damaged some crops.
- 2026 harvest data showed that total tonnages combined from all six crops were down 3% (23,100 tonnes), compared to last season from a lower harvest area (4% decrease, 3,700 hectares). Although the resulting average yield of 8.7 t/ha across all crops was identical to last season (0% change).
- Unsold stocks of grain totalled over all six cereal crops, are down by 13,300 tonnes compared to last season. This is largely due to lower stocks of unsold feed wheat (down 17,000 t) and malting barley (down 3,400 t), coupled with an increase in unsold milling wheat (up 10,400 t).
- When totalled over all six cereal crops, the 2027 harvest hectares are predicted to be 14% down on the 2026 harvest hectares (from 94,300 hectares to 81,400 hectares). Notes that only 59% of crops had been established by 1 July, 2026, the remainder are intentions to be sown in the spring.