Damon Mcknight
Sugar is a natural carbohydrate, found in fruits, vegetables, and nuts. It is made by green plants through photosynthesis, a natural process that turns sunlight into energy. Sugar is harvested from sugar beets and sugar cane plants. Sugar cane is a tropical grass that grows in hot and sunny climates with plenty of rainwater. In Australia, sugarcane is grown in Queensland and New South Wales and is harvested between June and December. Once cut, the pieces of cane are sent to a sugar mill where they are shredded and crushed to separate the sweet juice from the fibrous stalk. The juice is then filtered and heated to remove water and any impurities, leaving behind dark brown molasses. The sugar crystals are then extracted from the juice. Raw sugar crystals are stored in large sheds, ready to be exported or sold to refineries to be made fit for human consumption.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sugarcane harvesting period | June to December |
| Sugarcane harvesting equipment | Large mechanical harvesters |
| Sugarcane harvesting regions in Australia | Queensland, New South Wales |
| Sugar production | Raw and refined sugar |
| Sugar export | 85% of raw sugar |
| Sugar export revenue | Over $2 billion |
| Sugar export markets | South Korea, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, USA, UK |
| Sugar production process | Shredding, crushing, filtration, heating, crystallisation, refining |
| Sugar by-products | Molasses, ethanol, rum, electricity, fertiliser, plastics, fibreboard, biopharmaceuticals |
| Sugar industry code of conduct | Competition and Consumer (Industry Code—Sugar) Regulations 2017 |
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What You'll Learn
Sugarcane harvesting in Australia
Sugarcane is a tropical grass that grows in hot and sunny climates with plenty of rainwater. In Australia, sugarcane is grown in Queensland and New South Wales, with around 95% of the sugar produced in Australia coming from Queensland. The sugarcane crop is harvested between June and December. After harvesting, the sugarcane is sent to a sugar mill, where it is shredded and crushed to separate the sweet juice from the fibrous stalk, known as bagasse. The bagasse is used as fuel to provide steam, heat, and electricity for the mill's boiler, with the excess electricity exported to power regional households.
The juice extracted from the sugarcane is then filtered and heated to remove water and any impurities, resulting in a dark brown liquid called molasses. This liquid is further processed to create raw sugar crystals, which are kept dry and stored in large sheds. These raw sugar crystals are then either exported or sold to refineries to be made into refined sugar, fit for human consumption.
The Australian sugar industry produces both raw and refined sugar from sugarcane. The Queensland sugar industry was deregulated in 2006, allowing Queensland Sugar Limited (QSL) to enter into voluntary agreements with mills to market their export raw sugar. QSL undertakes export sales directly to raw sugar refiners in various countries, with the proceeds distributed back to mills and growers. New South Wales' white and raw sugar is primarily sold directly to the domestic market by the New South Wales Sugar Milling Co-operative.
The Australian government has shown interest in maintaining the sustainability and effective operation of the country's raw sugar export industry, which contributes significantly to the economy and supports rural and regional communities. The Sugar Industry Reform Program (SIRP) was established in 2004 to promote comprehensive reform and restructure of the Australian sugar industry, with a focus on long-term economic, social, and environmental sustainability.
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Sugar extraction
Harvesting
Sugarcane is typically harvested in Australia between June and December, with the cane stalks cut off at their base using large mechanical harvesters. The leaf matter is separated and used as mulch, while the stalks are cut into shorter 30-cm length pieces called billets.
Transportation
To minimise deterioration and juice evaporation, the harvested sugarcane needs to be quickly transported to a sugar mill, ideally within 16 hours of harvesting. Transportation is done by road or rail, with the cane loaded into trucks or mill bins.
Juice Extraction
At the sugar mill, the sugarcane stalks are shredded and crushed to separate the sweet juice from the fibrous stalk, known as bagasse. The bagasse is not wasted and is used to generate electricity for the mill and surrounding areas.
Filtration and Heating
The extracted juice is then filtered and heated to remove water and any impurities. This process results in a dark brown liquid called molasses, which is another valuable byproduct with various uses, including fuel, rum production, and animal feed.
Crystallisation
The molasses is further processed to form sugar crystals, which are then separated from the liquid. These raw sugar crystals are washed, dissolved in hot water, and boiled to remove any remaining impurities.
Refinement
The refined sugar crystals are then dried and stored in large sheds, ready for export or further refinement in Australian refineries. The raw sugar crystals are melted, sterilised using UV light, and then spun in drying centrifuges to produce pure, consumable sugar.
The sugar extraction process in Australia is carefully optimised to minimise waste and maximise the utilisation of sugarcane's byproducts, contributing to the country's thriving sugar industry.
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Sugar refinement
Harvesting and Transportation
Sugarcane is harvested in Australia between June and December, typically in the hot and sunny climate of Queensland and northern New South Wales. Large mechanical harvesters cut the cane stalks and chop the leaves, which are then left as mulch to nourish the soil for the next crop. The cane is cut into shorter 30cm pieces, and to minimise deterioration and juice evaporation, it is quickly transported to a sugar mill, either by road or rail.
Juice Extraction and Filtration
At the sugar mill, the sugarcane pieces are shredded and crushed to separate the sweet juice from the fibrous stalk, known as bagasse. The bagasse is not wasted; it is used to generate electricity for the mill and can also be utilised in the production of plastics, fibreboard, and biopharmaceuticals. The extracted juice is then filtered and heated to remove water and any impurities. This process results in a dark brown liquid called molasses, which is another valuable byproduct with various applications, including fuel, animal feed, and sweetening.
Crystal Formation and Refinement
The molasses is further processed to form raw sugar crystals, which are then exported or sent to refineries for further refinement. In the refineries, the raw sugar crystals undergo washing, melting, and sterilisation using UV light. The melted sugar is then spun in huge drying centrifuges to remove any remaining colours and impurities. Finally, the pure sugar is boiled and seeded with fine sugar crystals, resulting in a product fit for human consumption and ready for packaging and sale.
Waste Minimisation and Energy Generation
The Australian sugar industry is committed to minimising waste and maximising the utilisation of by-products. Bagasse, for example, is used not only for fuel but also to provide steam, heat, and electricity for the sugar mills and surrounding communities. This sustainable approach ensures that the sugar production process is efficient and environmentally conscious.
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Sugar packaging
Glass or Plastic Jars
Granulated sugar can be packaged in glass or plastic jars with screw-on or snap-on lids. These jars are often reusable and suitable for long-term sugar storage.
Paper or Plastic Bags
Granulated sugar is commonly packaged in paper or plastic bags, which are resealable to maintain freshness. These bags are used for bulk distribution to commercial customers such as bakeries and restaurants.
Boxes
Powdered sugar is typically packaged in boxes with plastic bags inside.
Stick Packs
Stick packs are small, individual packets of granulated sugar, often made from paper or plastic. They are convenient for sweetening beverages and food and are commonly used in restaurants, cafes, and other foodservice settings.
Packaging Machines
Several types of packaging machines are available for sugar packaging, including manual, semi-automatic, and automatic bagging machines. The choice depends on the desired production volume and bag size. For small formats ranging from 300 grams to 5 kilograms, stand-up pouch packaging machines like the MF POUCH 3000 are recommended. For larger formats ranging from 5 to 50 kilograms, the IABA series is suggested, offering flexibility in production volumes.
Palletising Systems
After packaging, the bags, bundles, or cases are organised on pallets using Cartesian palletisers or Layer Palletisers, depending on the production speed and type of packaging being handled.
Labelling and Branding
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Sugar export
The majority of Australian sugar is produced in Queensland, with a smaller proportion coming from northern New South Wales. Queensland's sugar industry is deregulated, allowing for voluntary agreements with mills for the marketing of export raw sugar. The state's sugar industry contributes $2 billion to its economy each year.
Australia's main export markets for sugar include Indonesia, South Korea, Japan, and Malaysia. While the US and the UK are smaller markets, there are opportunities for Australian exporters to take advantage of unused quotas in these countries. The Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement, which came into force in 2023, will also improve market access for Australian sugar exporters to the UK by eliminating tariffs and increasing the import quota.
The export process for sugar in Australia involves harvesting sugarcane, which is then transported to a sugar mill. At the mill, the sugarcane is shredded and crushed to separate the juice from the bagasse. The bagasse is used as fuel for the mill's boiler furnaces. The juice undergoes purification and boiling in an evaporator to create a syrup, which is then seeded with sugar crystals through crystallisation. The resulting raw sugar is dried and stored before being exported or sent to a refiner.
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Frequently asked questions
Sugarcane is harvested in Australia from June to December. Large mechanical harvesters cut the stalks, which are then transported to a sugar mill. At the mill, the sugarcane is shredded and crushed to separate the sweet juice from the fibrous stalk, which is called bagasse. The juice is then filtered and heated to remove water and impurities. The resulting dark brown liquid is called molasses, from which sugar crystals are extracted.
Sugarcane is a tropical grass that grows in hot and sunny climates with plenty of rainwater. It can grow to be over two metres tall.
Australia produces both raw and refined sugar from sugarcane. About 95% of sugar produced in Australia comes from Queensland, with the remaining 5% from northern New South Wales. Australia is the second-largest exporter of raw sugar in the world, with 85% of its raw sugar exported to countries like South Korea, Japan, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
Raw sugar crystals are washed and dissolved in hot water to remove any remaining colours and impurities. The pure sugar is then boiled and seeded with fine sugar crystals. It is then melted and sterilised using UV light before being spun in huge drying centrifuges.
Besides sugar, the manufacturing process yields molasses, bagasse, ethanol, rum, and animal feed supplements. Bagasse is used to generate electricity, while molasses can be used in the production of ethanol, rum, and animal feed.
