Weekly Australian Climate, Water and Agricultural Update, 30 April 2026

Key issues

• In the week ending 29 April 2026, rainfall was recorded across the southwest and parts of the east.
  • Most cropping regions of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia saw little to no rainfall.
  • In regions that have seen several consecutive weeks of low rainfall, this is likely to reduce upper layer soil moisture and broaden the gap between upper and lower laver soi moisture reserves ahead of winter crop sowing.
• Over the 8 days to 7 May 2026, low pressure systems are expected to bring rainfall to parts of the east and south:
  • Low rainfall totals (1-10 millimetres) are forecast for Queensland, northern New South Wales, and much of Western Australia.
  • Falls of up to 25 millimetres are forecast for southern New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and eastern parts of Western Australia.
  • If realised, these falls are expected to support the germination and growth of early sown winter crops and provide a timely boost to soil moisture levels and encourage further plantings.
• Water storage levels in the Murray-Darling Basin (MDB) decreased by 115 gigalitres (GL) between 23 April 2026 and 30 April 2026. The current volume of water held in storages is 10,041 GL, equivalent to 45% of total storage capacity. This is 15% or 1,721 GL less than the same time last year. Water storage data is sourced from the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM).
• Allocation prices in the Victorian Murray below the Barmah Choke increased from $400/ML on 23 April 2026 to $438/ML on 30 April 2026. Trade from the Goulburn to the Murray is closed. Trade downstream through the Barmah Choke is closed. Trade from the Murrumbidgee to the Murray is open.