TRADE Activities in 2024-25
CANEGROWERS maintained strong advocacy to defend grower returns, and strengthen and maintain market access for Australian raw sugar.
A key achievement was securing tariff-free entry through the Australia-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), overriding the UAE’s ability to apply its World Trade Organization (WTO) permitted 15% sugar tariff. This reinforces the value of diverse, secure markets.
Attention also centred on India’s sugar policies, which continue to distort world markets. Working with DFAT and like minded countries, CANEGROWERS pressed India to comply with WTO rules and redirect surpluses into ethanol production.
While India approved one million tonnes of exports, this was delayed, scaled back from the three million tonnes originally sought, and no direct export subsidies were offered.
These outcomes, supported by CANEGROWERS early interventions, helped reduce market disruption.
CANEGROWERS also engaged on emerging EU surplus sugar issues, urging against subsidised beet exports, and supported improvements to the US sugar tariff rate quota system in ways that balance supply needs and market stability.
With Australia chairing the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership in 2025, CANEGROWERS is focused on ensuring China and Indonesia’s applications address sugar market access concerns.
Beyond defensive work, CANEGROWERS promoted long-term opportunities, including cooperation with India on biofuels, and contributed to inquiries on free trade agreements and Australia’s agricultural role in South-East Asia.
International collaboration was strengthened through the Global Sugar Alliance’s 25th anniversary meeting in London and preparations for the Thai Sugar Conference and ASEAN Sugar Alliance meeting.
Through these initiatives, CANEGROWERS continues to ensure Australian sugar retains competitive, sustainable access in global markets while building partnerships that support resilience and growth.