QCAR's Sweet Success Navigating Challenges, Championing Sustainability And Pioneering Change

A rebrand, an evolving team and the continual support of Queensland’s sugar cane growers exemplifies a successful year for Queensland Cane Agriculture & Renewables (QCAR), with the launch of the QCAR brand signifying broader strategic vision and expanded focus for the organisation.

While reflecting on a positive 2023, the QCAR team are quick to look forward, with a variety of industry issues at the forefront of its mission to advocate for members and industry.

Always aligning with evolving industry dynamics, QCAR continue to focus on topical policies to ensure the sustainable development of the industry.

“Being approximately 95 per cent of Australia’s 30 million tonne sugar cane crop, the Queensland sugarcane industry must continually adapt to remain competitive in an environment of rising production costs, climate variability, pests and disease, increasing regulatory burdens and compliance costs,” said QCAR CEO Panikos Spyrou.

“Not to forget the exposure to highly volatile global sugar markets which are subject in international trade distortions, mainly at the hands of countries such as India and Brazil.”

Championing the timely and efficient supply of sugar cane to sugar mills is one such policy as QCAR is actively engaged in collaborative efforts to restore this harmonious supply.

Delays in cane supply and transport can also affect the environmental factors of cane farming and, as the globe takes strides in its mission to decarbonise, QCAR plays its part through its commitment to renewables and sustainable agriculture.

“QCAR and its cane membership base desire the concept of a circular bioeconomy where essentially, ‘We grow it, we process it, and then we recycle any waste product back (through a biorefinery) to produce numerous renewable bioproducts and bioenergy,’” Mr Spyrou said.

“Diversifying sugarcane processing away from solely crystal sugar production both spreads financial risk for growers and industry but also offers the potential for greater industry income and regional economic power.  

“Therefore, we are very keen to fully support and vehemently promote any project of such nature.”

The growth of QCAR’s team proves its adaptability and commitment to address key issues facing members such as cane supply and transport, rising farming costs, the bio-circular economy, rising groundwater, water quality and Net Zero by 2030 targets through collaborative efforts with members, farmers, and industry.

“We are actively looking to engage with and support people and projects which are in direct alignment with our underlying objective to promote and develop concepts that integrates sugarcane diversification with values of sustainability and environmental stewardship,” said Mr Spyrou.

“All the while ensuring the long-term growth, viability, competitiveness, and profitability of the industry for the benefit of our respective farming colleagues and their underlying communities now and into the future.”

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QCAR’s team is constantly evolving to address the needs of its members to include L-R Chief Strategy Officer Michael Kern, Senior Agricultural Technical Officer Lawrence Di Bella, and CEO Panikos Spyrou