45th AGM of the NSW Sugar Milling Co-Operative

Members from across the Northern Rivers gathered on Friday 17th November for the fortyffth Annual General Meeting of the growerowned NSW Sugar Milling Co-operative.

The members showed plenty of confdence in their Board of Directors with Malcolm Brown, Marty Walsh and Nathan Ensbey all re-elected.

Chairman John Harbison expressed his thanks and congratulations to everyone in both the growing and milling sectors for their incredible efforts in working through food recovery challenges before outlining the positive outlook in terms of crop and sugar production along with strong mid-to-long term pricing.

The 2023 season is set to pay cane growers as much as an incredible

$62 per tonne of cane, with future seasons tracking well into the ffties.

In his presentation to members, Chief Executive of Sunshine Sugar, Chris Connors, detailed how the business had negotiated the process of food recovery to deliver an outcome that saw all three sugar mills extensively refurbished and the enormous cost to do so covered through close management of insurance coverage, State and Federal grant funding and Sunshine Sugar’s sales program.

Mr Connors commented; “Our customers have continued to support us as costs and prices have risen. From retailers to food and beverage manufacturers, our customers appreciate the quality product we make and our ability to maintain reliable supply and have demonstrated their preparedness to pay a premium for it.” Moving forward, Sunshine Sugar is focussed on adaption measures in a changing climate and environmental landscape. High on the agenda is the migration from food recovery programs that have dominated the industry over the past 18 months to future food mitigation initiatives.

Sunshine Sugar is also navigating its way through staff shortages that have plagued many businesses across Australia since the height of the COVID pandemic. Having exhausted all domestic avenues, the sugar mills are now able to address skills shortages using migrant workers. Broadwater sugar mill has welcomed maintenance and electrical staff members over the past few months who have been supported in relocating to Australia from Africa.

The future for Sunshine Sugar is also focused on diversifcation of income streams. Several projects are currently in development that look at uses for “whole of plant” to create alternate products. The sugarcane plant is an incredibly versatile plant that is being looked to as a sustainable source for production of fbre, fuel, fertiliser, energy, medicinal and beverage products.

Sugarcane is becoming a plant for the future and with over 150 years of experience growing it here in the Northern Rivers, this local industry has a lot to look forward to.