General News
1 November, 2026
Sugar crush delays
INNISFAIL canegrowers are expecting to be still cutting well into December.
Canegrowers chairman Owen Menkens said, while some state growers were due to finish last weekend, others still had weeks of harvesting ahead, likely extending into December as the threat of summer rain looms.
“Most of the remaining districts are expected to finish crushing during November, but Innisfail has already lost around 1200 hours to wet weather this season and growers there are likely to be cutting well into December,” he said.
Mr Menkens said even for those finishing early, there was a sting in the tail.
“Queensland’s latest crop estimate has fallen to around 26.5 million tonnes, down from the 28 million tonnes expected at the beginning of the season,” he said.
“There is some welcome relief on the price front, however, with sugar prices rising by more than $150 a tonne since August, following a couple of disappointing years.
“That’s a real boost, particularly for growers who haven’t already locked in their sugar prices.
“It won’t make up for the lost tonnage or fully offset high input costs, but it will certainly help soften the blow.”
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