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Canola

Western Australia is the major canola growing state in Australia, producing over 50% of the nation’s 4 million tonnes each year. Most of WA canola is exported – generating about $1.2 billion for the state’s economy annually.

Yellow flowering canola crop with Stirling Range in the background

WA’s largest export canola markets in 2021/22 were Germany, Japan, UAE, Belgium, France, and the Netherlands. WA canola is renowned for its high oil content – with the state often achieving higher oil contents than the rest of the nation. 

Western Australian canola industry 

Canola is an important crop in Western Australia, with average yearly production over the last 5 years estimated at 2.2 million tonnes, worth around $1.2 billion to the state economy each year. Nearly all WA canola production is exported, mostly into Asia for human use and to Europe for biofuel production. 

The department has a strong canola research, development, and extension program with a focus on developing profitable agronomic packages and overcoming pest and disease constraints. 

Canola is Western Australia's third largest broadacre crop after wheat and barley, with production estimated at over 2.5 million tonnes in 2023-24.

Production  

Canola is Western Australia's third largest broadacre crop after wheat and barley with production estimated at over 2.5 million tonnes in 2023-24. 

Wheat, barley, and canola production in Western Australia

WA is the dominant Australian state for canola production, accounting for more than 50% of the nation's 5-year average annual production of 4 million tonnes. 

As well as being profitable, canola has become the most important break crop in WA cereal production systems, overtaking lupin due to higher profitability and better weed control options. 

WA canola is grown using sustainable farming systems that can be certified to meet the sustainability criteria required to access the European Union markets. 

Both conventional and genetically modified canola varieties are grown in WA, with strict segregation in the supply chain allowing the two systems to co-exist. 

Exports  

WA exports 90% of the canola it produces, accounting for over half of the nation's total canola exports. The value of WA canola exports has been increasing strongly since 2000 and is running at a five-year average of around $1.2 billion per year. 

The major markets for WA canola in 2022 were the European Union (EU), followed by Japan and United Arab Emirates (UAE). Canola is used for both production of biodiesel and food in the EU. Canola is also processed locally, and exported as canola oil to Taiwan, Japan, China, and Vietnam.  

Processing 

There are two local canola crushing operations, located at Pinjarra and Kojonup. Both are small by international industry standards. Between the two local crushers, about 60,000 tonnes of canola seed are processed per year, representing less than 5% of the state’s total canola production. 

Crop Sowing Guide

The Western Australian crop sowing guide is a one stop shop for information on all the major crops grown in Western Australia, compiled by the department. This edition includes the major crops grown in WA – wheat, barley, canola, oat, lupins, and pulses. The guide aims to provide information to support growers with decisions on the best choice of variety for each of the major crops for the upcoming season.

View the current Crop Sowing Guide

Diseases and pests of canola

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