Burdekin mills surpass 346,000 tonnes in strong Week 3 crush

Burdekin region sugar mills crushed just over 346,000 tonnes of cane in Week 3 of the 2026 crushing season, taking the season-to-date total to more than 900,000 tonnes.

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The weekly throughput, ending 20 June, was above budget expectations, according to Burdekin Cane Supply Manager Chris Scovazzi, reflecting steady early-season performance across all four mills.

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Invicta led weekly production with 129,947 tonnes, followed by Pioneer (78,843 tonnes), Kalamia (76,682 tonnes) and Inkerman (61,179 tonnes). Season-to-date totals now sit at 350,719 tonnes for Invicta, 183,432 tonnes for Pioneer, 186,631 tonnes for Kalamia and 179,596 tonnes for Inkerman.

The overall regional average Commercial Cane Sugar (CCS) for the week was 14.23, well above the budgeted figure of 12.98 and slightly higher than the season-to-date average of 13.97.

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Kalamia recorded the highest weekly CCS at 14.86, while individual mill results remained strong across the board, with Invicta and Pioneer both recording 14.31.

Variety performance data showed Q240 as the dominant variety, making up 40 per cent of the crush at an average CCS of 13.83, followed by KQ228 at 31 per cent (14.51 CCS) and Q183 at 15 per cent (14.88 CCS).

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SRA23 recorded the highest CCS of the minor varieties at 14.73.

The region also recorded a peak CCS of 17.30 from a rake of Q183 plant cane supplied from the Mulgrave productivity district.

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Operationally, Invicta and Inkerman mills completed their first cleaning intermissions for the season last week, while Kalamia and Pioneer are scheduled to undergo cleaning on Tuesday 23 June.

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With the school holiday period approaching, growers and industry representatives are also urging families to reinforce safety awareness around the cane rail network.

Locals and visitors are being reminded to “train their brain” and always give way to cane trains near rail crossings and track corridors.

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