Farmers Frustrated As Sugar Season Runs Late

The Proserpine Mill will continue crushing until January and it is looking likely that there will be a ‘stand-over’ of sugar cane still left in the fields following a disappointing season that has been marred by the mill’s unplanned maintenance issues and worker shortage.

Growers hoped for a bumper season with high sugar prices and a larger than usual harvest creating renewed positivity and the promise of recovery from several years of below average production.

Mike Porter, Manager of Canegrowers Proserpine said farmers are “frustrated” and some are becoming “annoyed” by complications that have caused massive delays over the season.

“Factory performance hasn’t been great this year and it is disappointing to be lower than normal,” he said.

“After five years of below average crop, which has largely been to do with Cyclone Debbie, growers had been looking forward to finally getting a decent crop and with the potential to make more money with better sugar prices.”

On average, the Proserpine Mill can expect to process two million tonnes in a 22-week period or around 1.5 million tonnes in about 19 weeks.

This season’s crop is larger than the last few years, at 1.78 tonnes, but it has also taken a lot longer to process.

Proserpine Operations Manager Sebastian Foti said that the extended season is mainly due to unplanned factory stops, wet weather interruptions and labour force challenges.

“We also got off to a late start as a result of COVID-related supply chain issues and skilled labour shortfalls,” he said.

Minimising delays where possible, the team utilised any wet weather stops to perform necessary maintenance, thereby reducing the need for scheduled maintenance stops.

“We are focused on processing the whole 1.78 million tonne crop and are working closely with the growing and harvesting sectors to achieve this,” he said.

Despite this, growers remain disappointed that this year will see the first ‘stand-over’ of crop since 2010.

The crop left on the fields will not contain the same sugar quality as it would have yielded in this year’s harvest and the rest of this year’s crop quality will decrease as the temperatures rise over the next month.

Unfortunately, when the hardworking industry should be celebrating with their annual cut-out party, they are instead working an extra six to eight weeks on a crop that will not yield much.

In addition, Mr Porter said the growers may experience staff shortages as workers return to their families over the Christmas period.

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Annual Cut Out Party

Organisers of the annual Cut Out Party are inviting the community to attend the festivities this January, celebrating the hard-working individuals from across the industry at the end of a challenging season.

All are welcome, from cane farmers to mill workers, local affiliated companies and anyone in the community who wants to support the local sugar cane industry.

The first event of its kind was introduced last year, and its huge success prompted an expanded committee to organise the second iteration.

Last year, $12,000 was raised, and this year, proceeds will go to RACQ CQ Rescue.

The Cut Out Party will be held at the Proserpine Showgrounds and attendees can expect a fun night out with live music, a slideshow from the season, charity auction, fire pit, and of course an open bar.

WHAT: Cut Out Party

WHEN: Saturday, January 14

WHERE: Proserpine Showgrounds

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