The Australian sugar cane industry is facing the challenge of enhancing producers’ profitability during a period of increasing competition in export markets, rising input prices and declining returns. Industry stakeholders, government decision-makers and growers need to become better informed about the key factors likely to affect costs of production and financial performance. This information is critical in assessing the risks and challenges facing sugar cane growers and is particularly important for the future development of strategies, and research and development programs to improve the long-term viability of sugar cane production.
ABARE was commissioned by the Sugar Industry Oversight Group (IOG) and funded by the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry to collect information from sugar cane growers on production, financial performance and management practices and the challenges they face. The main objective of the survey was to identify the distinguishing characteristics, in terms of production and financial performance, of sugar cane farms of varying sizes and the management practices used by farmers that are likely to be critical for the long-term viability of these producers.
This report contains a snapshot of farm performance for the 2005-06 to 2007-08 financial years, based on production and financial performance data collected in 2007 and 2008 from Australian sugar cane growers. It provides an insight into production and management issues faced by Australian sugar cane growers. |
