The Australian Sugar Manufactures (ASM) is calling for urgent action to maintain the long-term viability of Queensland’s sugar industry.
ASM chief executive officer Ash Salardini said that as that state’s sugar crush ends, the industry needs to acknowledge the efforts of the workers in the mills who have ensured a smooth processing season.
“It has been a tough year for the sugar industry, forecasts for the crush have been continually revised down, and we are looking at a crush of 29 million tonnes. Volumes are down as prices, as we face five-year lows in the sugar price,” he said.
“Business as usual can no longer be an option. We need a bold, forward-looking agenda that leverages sugar’s potential to underpin a biofuels and bioenergy industry in Queensland. This is not just about saving jobs; it’s about creating a sovereign capability for Australia’s energy future.”
The ASM have made a submission to the Federal Government, calling for co-investment packages to further secure the future of biofuels and bioenergy through sugar.
This includes $90 million in capital grants for technology, adaptation and energy transition projects, $9 million for feasibility studies to develop shovel ready biofuels projects, $60 million cane rail fund to maintain and upgrade critical transport infrastructure, and $24 million for advanced sugar manufacturing research and development to drive innovation and diversification.
According to ASM, the sugar industry has the feedstock and infrastructure to deliver up to 30 per cent of Australia’s aviation fuel demand through biofuels, provide baseload renewable electricity for nearly 500,000 Queensland homes, and create new revenue streams through biogas and biomanufacturing.
“This is a once in a generation opportunity,” Salardini said.
If we act now, we can transform Queensland’s sugar industry into the cornerstone of Australia’s clean energy future. If we don’t, we risk losing a $20 billion industry capability and thousands of regional jobs, the future of our industry is at stake.”