11 January 2011:  CANEGROWERS has confirmed that record rain events on the eastern seaboard over the past 6-months have wiped some 20% off the 2010 crop.

The peak group says while it is too early to make the call on losses in 2011 and beyond, it has upgraded estimated losses to the industry following the latest round of (conservative) data from districts, which revealed the industry has taken a $500 million hit in 2010 alone.  **Please note assumptions have been made to simplify this data for external audiences.

Localised flooding has occurred across the sugar industry from Mossman to Grafton. Upwards of 200 cane growers have been severely impacted in the official flood declared Bundaberg District Council area (with some individual Bundaberg and Childers cane growers initially estimating losses at up to 50% of their 2011 crop). Frazer Coast is has now been bought into the official flood declared area, following reports of rising floodwaters around Maryborough.

While it is too early to assess the extent of the damage on the 2011 crop, there will be:

• Lost area of plant and ratoon cane
• Direct damage from excessive rainfall
• Poor growth due to lack of fertilisation and herbicides
• Crop damage due to wet harvesting conditions in 2010
• Poor growing conditions ie lack of sunlight

All of these factors could add up to a significant loss of production in the 2011 crop.

 

 Quick Facts Australian Sugarcane Season 2010

• 27.3 million tonnes cane (usual range 32-35 Mt)
• 3.62 million tonnes raw sugar (usual range 4.5-5 Mt)
• 4000 cane farm businesses
• 25 sugar mills
• 6 bulk storage ports
• $1.5 billion value of production (usual range $1.5 - $2.5 billion)
• $500 million direct losses to the sugarcane industry in season 2010 as a result of 6-months of extraordinary rainfall events.