During the month of May 2013, production was 7.6% down on the previous May. Production this season in Australia is trailing the previous season by 2.7%. The Australian production season runs from the beginning of July through to the end of June. This is one month later than the New Zealand production season. The season started out on a positive note during the first half of the season but output slowed considerably in the second half of the season.
Production is trailing last season in all of the six states. On a season-to-date basis Queensland and South Australia are behind by the greatest amount being -5.6% and -5.3% respectively. Production during the month of May was 9.2% less in the state of Victoria. Within the state of Victoria, Northern Victoria is the only area to show growth this year.