1 April 2008 |
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| ABARE starts second round of surveys of sugar cane growers |
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| The second ABARE benchmarking survey of Queensland and northern New South Wales sugar cane growers is underway today, looking at production efficiency and profitability of Australia's sugar cane growing regions. Coupled with information collected last year, this survey will help to develop a detailed database that the sugar industry can draw on for the development of research and development programs and strategies to improve long term viability. "ABARE was commissioned by the Sugar Industry Oversight Group (IOG) in collaboration with CANEGROWERS and funded by the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to collect information about risks and challenges facing sugar cane growers," ABARE Executive Director, Phillip Glyde said. "With cost of production a key factor dictating profitability, the survey includes questions on costs and returns," Mr Glyde explained. Mr Bruce Vaughan, Chairman of the IOG says the ABARE survey puts into action the recommendation in the IOG"s strategic vision to undertake comprehensive surveys of industry business practices and costs to allow for domestic industry benchmarking. "I strongly encourage growers to participate because these surveys while respecting confidentiality, will give the industry and Regional Advisory Groups the information needed to develop plans for the future," he said. ABARE interviews are conducted in person by identified ABARE field collectors. All information provided remains confidential. The information collected will only be published or released as farm averages. Results from last year"s survey are available on ABARE's website http://www.abare.gov.au/publications_html/crops/crops_07/sugar_growers.pdf The second survey is scheduled to begin on 31 March 2008 and is expected to be completed by the end of April. Survey results will be released in mid 2008. |
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| For information about the domestic sugar industry benchmarking study please contact Mr Bruce Vaughan, Chairman of the IOG on 02 9144 3040. For further information about the survey and for media interviews, please contact Milly Lubulwa, Survey Analysis Section, on 02 6272 2069, mobile 0408 162 395 or email milly.lubulwa@abare.gov.au. For general media enquiries, contact Maree Finnegan, Media Coordinator on 02 6272 2260 or email mfinnegan@abare.gov.au. |
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