SUGARCANE production areas of Queensland have received less than half their long term average for the wet season, confirming persistent dry conditions.
Weather and climate forecasts also indicate a low rainfall probability for the April to June period, which would impact on this year's cane harvest.
Wilmar's Executive General Manager for North Queensland, John Pratt said crop estimates for the 2015 season have just begun, so it will take several weeks for the impact of the dry conditions to be known.
"The emerging El Niño prediction is concerning however, with the Bureau of Meteorology having issued an El Niño watch alert," Mr Pratt said.
"The El Niño pattern that is forecast would impact on probability of rainfall in the medium to long-term, so we will continue to monitor the situation and the potential impact on the harvest," he said.
Compared with long term average rainfall in the wet season, to date in 2015 the Herbert region has received only 33 per cent of the long term average, the Burdekin 50pc, Proserpine 44pc and Sarina 41pc.