Widespread drought has forced Australia to make a rare purchase of Canadian grain – its first wheat import in more than a decade.

An Australian importer was issued a permit to ship bulk wheat from Canada, the Australian Department of Agriculture & Water Resources said on its website on Tuesday, after local crops were ravaged by the lack of rain.

The permit is for a single shipment, which is expected to arrive in six to eight weeks.

Australia is starting to import some wheat as its crop has been impacted by the drought. Credit:Erin Jonasson

While Australia does import small quantities of specialty wheat grades each year, a bulk shipment like this is significant because it’s so rare. It comes after east coast prices rose as high as $450 a tonne last year, making it among the most expensive markets in the world. Prices closed Tuesday at $300 a tonne.