As 2023 draws to a close, many reflect on a sugar cane season that was filled with highs and lows, making plans to ensure more prosperous seasons in years to come.
A fundamental issue facing the industry has been the timely supply of sugar cane from grower to mill, with Queensland Cane Agriculture & Renewables (QCAR) focussing efforts on restoring the harmonious supply of sugar cane to sugar mills.
QCAR CEO Panikos Spyrou said the prosperity of the sugar cane industry relies on a timely supply chain.
“When the industry, the growing fraternity and the harvest sector have the ability to supply cane to a miller in a safe and timely manner, it allows adequate time for new crop regrowth to take place,” he said.
“There’s been substantial work completed by a plethora of scientists and a multitude of research organisations who have all identified that cane supplied prior to October has the best opportunity to produce an optimum regrowth or ratoon crop which will give us the best production going forward, and naturally greater quantities of sugar being produced overall.
“As a result of inadequate timely supply of cane, amongst a myriad of social, safety and financial consequences, it has a direct impact on the grower’s sugar content, particularly in burnt cane districts where cane could be unduly delayed in a burnt state for excessive periods of time.
“Through constructive collaboration, we find ways to bridge that gap and remedy the various situations as they arise.”
Acting as the intermediary between the field sector and the milling field departments, QCAR approaches the issue with compassion and empathy, understanding that it can be cause for anxiety and frustration for many in the industry.
“There is no doubt, the timely and efficient supply of sugar cane to a factory is one of the most important issues for our growers and their respective farming operations,” Mr Spyrou said.
“We’re working to restore the harmonious supply of sugar cane to sugar mills and we’re experiencing really good relationships with individual Cane Suppliers, Milling Cane Supply Managers and their respective Field Department personnel.
“Acknowledging that things are by no means rosey across the board, we are striving to remedy this situation.
“We engage, we find solutions and we work with the various stakeholders; collaboration is key.”
Mr Spyrou said restoring the timely supply of sugar cane to sugar mills will allow growers to thrive and ensure the retention of farmers, contractors and employees across all sectors.
“Our target is to see that sugar mills are achieving very high availability and reliability rates and, in turn, optimal crush rates,” he said.
“We want to get back to nice, tight and timely season lengths.
“That, in turn, will see our production increase accordingly and we start moving towards meeting our district targets as set by our various regional productivity services.”
QCAR CEO Panikos Spyrou
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