Analysts have said that hot dry weather, linked to the El Nino weather phenomenon, is likely to cause a reduction in agricultural output in Australia over the coming months.

The Australian government issued a special update of its climate outlook report on Wednesday morning, warning that below average rainfall is in store for most of the country. The South-East of Australia will be worst affected by the dryness, and temperatures are expected to remain high, exacerbating problems for farmers.

The statement follows the third driest September on record in Australia, and a 12 month period of very low rainfall across the south of the country. Although wheat forecasts were recently raised in Australia, the news from Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology coming on the back of unseasonably warm spring weather is likely to dampen these hopes.

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