The rain comes just in time to allow farmers to sow wheat crop before the planting 'window' closes at the end of the month. The winter wheat is due to be harvested in November and December.

However, according to the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economies (ABARE), more rain will be needed over the next weeks in order to produce sub-soil moisture and ensure the crop's success.

ABARE last week released a report forecasting a 20 per cent decline in wheat production down to 16 million tonnes, compared with last year's 20.4 million tonnes.

Australia is currently behind the United States as the world's second largest wheat exporter with a 16 per cent global market share. A reduced crop this year would considerably cut export supplies and lower market competition.

"Europe would probably not be greatly affected if the drought were to continue as European crop is in good shape, and users do not anticipate a shortage in supply,"Alistair Dickie, director of crop marketing at the UK's Home Grown Cereals Authority told BakeryAndSnacks.com last week.

Over the past four days there has been rainfall of up to 80mm across South Australia, western New South Wales, Northern Visctoria and northwest Tasmania.

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology has predicted a 60-65 per cent chance of below average rainfall for the June to August period in many of these areas.