Rice harvest declines by up to two thirds

The Weekly Times 22/4/26.

The 2026 rice harvest in the Riverina is expected to decline by two thirds compared to 2025. This is entirely due to reduced water ownership, and low farm water allocations i.e. 18% of licence in the Murray area.

At approximately $450 per tonne at the farm gate, this means a decline in area wealth of approximately $243,000,000. This does not include the consequent lack of wealth generated by further processing at the Sunrice mills in Deniliquin and Leeton.

In previous years the rice harvest has been over 1,000,000 tonnes. This is more that five times the 2026 harvest. The higher tonnage was due to much greater plantings due to much greater water availability.

The decline in wealth, jobs and population in the areas affected by the Murray Darling Basin Plan is already well known. The decline in the rice harvest is merely the latest example of this.

The Federal Government only manages water via the Basin Plan with the permission of the States. Both NSW and/or Victoria (and any other State) can withdraw from the Basin Plan at any time.

Only a Riverina State will resume management of water and keep the wealth, jobs and people in these areas.

David Landini.