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the official magazine of australia's sugarcane industry
FACT OR FICTION WHAT ARE THE REAL VALUE-ADDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR QUEENSLAND’S SUGARCANE INDUSTRY? BY ROBYN DEVINE
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s declaration, in March this year, that Queensland “is perfectly positioned to be a clean energy superpower because we have both the sunshine and feedstocks including the largest sugar industry in the nation” shone the spotlight brightly on sugarcane.
Sugarcane is a valuable and versatile crop. The Queensland crop forecast is currently for 29.4 million tonnes of cane and whilst this estimate may be down from the start of the season, sugar remains Queensland’s second largest agricultural export, generating over $2 billion in export earnings. There is a crucial role for sugarcane to play in a vibrant industry, whilst sugar crystals remain the lucrative product for growers, the opportunity for value-added products are beginning to be explored. In July 2022, the Sugar Plus industry roadmap was launched, outlining a pathway to secure and grow its value for future generations. Globally, consumer behaviour is propelling a greater demand and there is an increased interest in decarbonisation and renewable resources, having agricultural sources of feedstocks produces potentially new opportunities for sugarcane growers and the industry as a whole.
Right: Greg Rossato and Richard Wall with samples of products produced using the tops and trash of sugarcane.
Burdekin Renewable Fuels Pty Ltd (BRF) was set up by a progressive group of growers. It has collaborated with and provided assistance to private investors and researchers alike who are looking with interest at the
In the Burdekin, growers have had their eyes on the future of the industry through making more from their cane for some time. region’s hectares of lush cane and its production system based on a reliable water supply for irrigation. BRF Chairman and Home Hill grower Greg Rossato said the core aim is to ultimately build more value for growers while expanding the region’s industrial and employment base. “In around 2017 a member came into the office with an idea to use the cane tops and trash to provide a product to the Japanese energy market,” Mr Rossato explained. “We set about doing some feasibility work on separating the tops and trash
