Melbourne’s outer north-west has been awash with a sea of yellow canola fields to welcome the change in season.
Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay residents can witness the flowering fields, which are normally at their best from the middle of September through to the middle of October.
The crop is grown across the state- with the main production in the south west- for its seeds, which are crushed to use in margarine and cooking oil.
According to Agriculture Victoria, Australia produces 1.9 to 2.7 million tonnes of the grain every year, and Victoria was the second-highest canola producing state between 2017-18 and 2019-20.
As a country, Australia is widely known for its high quality exports, and canola is no exception, with some significant international markets for its canola.
Most of Australia’s canola in 2019-20 was exported to the European Union for biodiesel, and in 2020 the five year average price was approximately $560 per tonne, Agriculture Victoria said.
People wishing to see the vibrant fields can try the road to Sunbury Road past the airport or the Princes Freeway towards Little River.
‘Canola tourists’ are encouraged to enjoy from a distance, as most flowers are grown on private farms and used for agriculture.
