Lyla Lindsey
Sugarcane is a tropical grass grown in Australia, with around 95% of the country's sugarcane produced in Queensland and the remaining 5% in northern New South Wales. The warm, tropical temperatures in these regions are ideal for growing sugarcane, which takes between 9 and 18 months to reach maturity. Australia's sugarcane industry is a significant contributor to the economy, with an estimated market size of $2.2 billion in 2025 and an annual production of 30-35 million tonnes of sugarcane. The industry has faced challenges due to volatile global prices and weather conditions, but it remains an important export for the country, with 80% of its raw sugar exported through six bulk storage ports.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sugarcane growth area in Australia | 378,000 hectares |
| Percentage of area in Queensland | 95% |
| Sugarcane farming businesses in Australia | 4,000 |
| Sugarcane production | 30-35 million tonnes |
| Sugar mills | 22 |
| Sugar production | 4 million tonnes |
| Percentage of sugar exported | 80% |
| Sugar export earnings | $2 billion |
| Sugar industry value in 2025 | $2.2 billion |
| Sugarcane growth period | 9-18 months |
| Ratoon crop period | Up to 6 years |
| Percentage of green harvesting | 75% |
| Sugarcane biosecurity zones in Queensland | 6 |
| Sugar by-products | Bagasse, molasses |
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What You'll Learn
Sugarcane farming in Australia is a $2.2 billion industry
Sugarcane is grown in Australia, with around 95% of the country's sugar produced in Queensland and about 5% in northern New South Wales. The warm tropical temperatures in Queensland are ideal for growing sugarcane, and the crop is typically harvested between July and November. Australia has around 378,000 hectares of sugarcane each year, with 22 sugar mills processing the cane into approximately 4 million tonnes of raw sugar. Sugarcane farming in Australia is a significant industry, worth about $2.5 billion to the economy annually.
The Australian sugar industry produces both raw and refined sugar from sugarcane. Approximately 85% of the raw sugar produced in Queensland is exported, generating over $2 billion in export earnings. Australia is the second-largest raw sugar exporter in the world, with more than 80% of its sugar exported as bulk raw sugar. The majority of the domestic market is supplied by sugarcane grown in New South Wales.
There are about 4,000 cane farming businesses in Australia, producing 30-35 million tonnes of sugarcane annually. The farms are located along the east coast, from Grafton to Mossman. In recent years, Asia has become a major focus for the Australian sugar industry, with key export markets including South Korea, Indonesia, Japan, and Malaysia.
The Australian government has a vested interest in maintaining the sustainability and effective operation of the country's raw sugar export industry. In 2017, the government introduced a mandatory code of conduct for the sugar industry to regulate the conduct of growers, mill owners, and marketers. The Queensland government has also implemented various regulatory frameworks over the years to support the industry, including the Sugar Industry Act 1999, which continued the 'single desk policy' for export marketing.
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Queensland is the largest producer of sugarcane in Australia
Sugarcane is a giant tropical grass that takes between nine and 18 months to reach maturity depending on the weather. Australia's 4,000 cane farming businesses grow 30-35 million tonnes of sugarcane each year. Sugar production is worth $2.5 billion to the Australian economy annually. About 95% of the sugar produced in Australia comes from Queensland, with the remaining 5% coming from northern New South Wales. Queensland's warm tropical temperatures are ideal for growing sugarcane.
Queensland's sugarcane farms are located along the east coast from Grafton to Mossman. The sugarcane is processed in 22 sugar mills, which produce around 4 million tonnes of raw sugar. 80% of this sugar is exported through six bulk storage ports. Sugarcane is the second largest agricultural export in Queensland.
The largest sugarcane-producing region in Australia is the Burdekin Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2), which produced 7.3 million tonnes of sugarcane in the 2020-21 financial year. The top five producing SA2s, all located in Queensland, contributed over half of Australia's sugarcane harvest that year (17.6 million tonnes).
CANEGROWERS, a respected lobby and representation group, represents around 75% of Queensland's sugarcane farmers through 13 regional companies with offices in cane-growing regions. The Australian Cane Farmers (ACFA) is another organisation that spans from Far North Queensland to Northern New South Wales and works to further the interests of its cane farmer members.
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Sugarcane is a giant tropical grass
Sugarcane exhibits a unique growth pattern with lateral shoots emerging from its base, leading to multiple stems. These stems mature into cane stalks, which make up a significant portion of the plant. A fully mature cane stalk has a composition that includes fiber, soluble sugars, non-sugar carbohydrates, and water. The successful growth of sugarcane depends on various factors, including climatic conditions, soil properties, irrigation methods, fertilization practices, pest and disease management, variety selection, and timely harvesting.
The sugarcane plant has a dense and deep root system, which makes it effective in protecting the soil from erosion caused by heavy rains and cyclones. Its inflorescence, or spike, is a panicle that bears numerous flowers that produce tiny seeds known as "fuzz." Sugarcane is a "C4" plant, a category it shares with plants like maize and sorghum. This classification refers to its ability to absorb and utilize carbon dioxide (CO2) and sunlight more efficiently than other plants, resulting in increased oxygen release and biomass production.
Sugarcane is a highly efficient photosynthesizer, converting up to 1% of incident solar energy into biomass. In primary growing regions, sugarcane crops can yield over 15 kg/m2 of cane. The cultivation of sugarcane has a long history, with its origins traced back to Papua New Guinea and India, where it was encountered by the Persians and Greeks between the sixth and fourth centuries BC. The crop then spread across the world, with sugarcane agriculture establishing itself in various regions over time.
Sugarcane is an important crop for the Australian economy, contributing approximately $2.5 billion annually. The Australian sugar industry produces both raw and refined sugar from sugarcane, with a significant portion of the raw sugar being exported to various countries, making Australia the second-largest raw sugar exporter globally. The growth and production of sugarcane in Australia are supported by organizations such as CANEGROWERS and the Australian Cane Farmers (ACFA), which represent the interests of sugarcane farmers and communicate with the industry and government on their behalf.
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The Australian sugar industry produces raw and refined sugar
Sugar mills are found along the eastern coastal districts, from far north Queensland to northern New South Wales. Sugar is produced by first crushing sugarcane at the mill to extract its sweet juice. This juice is then crystallised, washed, and dried to produce raw sugar. Sugar refineries then melt, purify, and recrystallise the raw sugar to produce food-grade sugar.
Sugar Australia, a company that refines and markets a range of crystal sugars for industrial and consumer markets, offers a full range of liquid sugars widely used in the industry. Liquid sugar is either taken from the refining process before crystallisation or made by dissolving white sugar in treated water. Treacle and Golden Syrup are popular syrups refined and marketed by Sugar Australia.
The Australian sugar industry exports about 80% of its raw sugar to countries like South Korea, Indonesia, and Japan. Australia is the second-largest exporter of raw sugar in the world. Queensland alone exports about 85% of its raw sugar, generating over $2 billion in export earnings. Sugar mills in the state also produce one million tonnes of molasses and 10 million tonnes of bagasse or fibre per year.
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The Queensland sugar industry was deregulated in 2006
Australia's sugar industry produces raw and refined sugar from sugarcane. Approximately 95% of the sugar produced in Australia is grown in Queensland, with the remaining 5% in northern New South Wales. Sugarcane is a giant tropical grass that takes between 9 and 18 months to reach maturity. Queensland's warm tropical temperatures are ideal for growing sugarcane.
On 1 January 2006, the Queensland sugar industry was deregulated. This came after the implementation of the Australian Government's $334 million Sugar Industry Reform Program in 2004. The Queensland Government amended the Sugar Industry Act 1999 to include two significant deregulation measures: the removal of restrictions on the marketing of raw sugar for export, and the ability of participants to negotiate contractual terms, including price.
Prior to deregulation, Queensland Sugar Limited (QSL) was the only mechanism for selling raw sugar to the export market. QSL provided a centralised marketing option that growers and millers trusted to get good prices. After deregulation, QSL had to enter into voluntary agreements with the mills, and Queensland Sugar Corporation transitioned into the industry-owned QSL.
Deregulation of the Queensland sugar industry led to significant changes and disputes. It allowed for foreign investment and ownership of sugar mills, with some of the biggest mills passing into foreign ownership. There were also disputes over payment and marketing, with some growers concerned about losing the benefits of centralised marketing and receiving lower prices for their cane.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, sugarcane is grown in Australia, with approximately 95% of the country's sugarcane grown in Queensland and the remaining 5% in northern New South Wales.
Australia's 4,000 cane farming businesses grow 30-35 million tonnes of sugarcane each year, generating $2.5 billion for the economy. The industry has faced turbulent conditions, with its performance influenced by weather and global sugar prices.
Sugarcane fields can be seen in Tropical North Queensland, particularly from Grafton to Mossman, spanning over 8,500 hectares from the Daintree Rainforest to the Atherton Tablelands.
