Others, however, have been able to get their seed in the ground and make the most of breaks in the rain.
In the current wet conditions, rice is once again demonstrating its resilience and suitability to the variable seasonal conditions experienced in the Riverina.
SunRice Group Chairman Laurie Arthur said, “As we look ahead to planting for the CY23 Riverina crop, conditions are favourable”.
“Water availability and water pricing ($10/ML in the Murray Valley) are at ideal levels for rice production and should underpin another large crop.
“The SunRice Group is offering both fixed price contracts for limited volumes of particular varieties, and a pool for the CY23 crop, which will be planted from October 2022.
“We’ve received consistent feedback from growers that they value both fixed price contracts and a pool, and we’re pleased to once again provide both options for the upcoming season.”
Seed orders for the coming planting season have also opened.
Below are the prices for particular varieties in the fixed price contract offer:
Season 2023 rice varieties and pricing.
| Variety | CY23 varieties pricing |
| Reiziq | $420/mt |
| V071 | $420/mt |
| Sherpa | $420/mt |
V071 is again being offered to growers, alongside Reiziq, and Sherpa is being offered at the same price in the fixed price contract offer, whereas last year it had a discount to base medium grain Reiziq.
The SunRice Group has identified strong market demand for Sherpa, particularly given the drought in key Northern Hemisphere supply countries, and is seeking increased volumes to meet that demand.
CY22 was the first year in which V071 was grown at commercial levels with outstanding results.
Hopefully this will be repeated under conditions presented to growers in the coming season.
Reiziq, our proven bold medium grain variety, will continue to be available this season, along with Viand.
Below are the premiums to base medium grain which will also be offered for specialty varieties in the CY23 pool:
Season 2023 specialty varieties in the CY23 pool
| Variety | CY23 varieties pricing |
| Reiziq | Base |
| V071/Viand/Sherpa | Flat |
| Opus | +$20/mt |
| Langi | +$75/mt |
| Topaz | +$110/mt |
| Koshihikari | +$165/mt |
The SunRice Group is unable to disclose an estimated range for the pool at this stage, given the ongoing uncertainty in global markets, specifically related to such factors as foreign exchange rates, world rice prices, conditions in end markets and ongoing disruption and volatility in global shipping and supply chains.
It will continue to monitor these factors and provide an estimated range to growers when practicable.
Processing and marketing of the crop is due to run from May 1, 2023 to April 30, 2024.
