How does sugarcane grow in Australia?
Australia’s sugarcane is grown in high rainfall and irrigated areas along coastal plains and river valleys on 2,100 km of Australia’s eastern coastline between Mossman in far north Queensland and Grafton in New South Wales. Queensland accounts for about 95 per cent of Australia’s raw sugar production.
Where are sugarcane grown in Queensland?
SUGARCANE. Australia’s 4,000 cane farming businesses grow 30-35 million tonnes of sugarcane each year. The farms are all along the east coast from Grafton to Mossman. 24 sugar mills process the cane into 4-4.5 million tonnes of raw sugar and 80% is exported through six bulk storage ports.
Why is Queensland good for growing sugarcane?
Our warm tropical temperatures are ideal for growing sugar. Approximately 95% of Australia’s sugar cane is grown in Queensland and approximately 80 to 85% of Queensland’s raw sugar is exported. Originally the cane was burnt before harvesting but nowadays in the tropical north it is generally cut ‘green’.
Is sugarcane grown in Queensland?
Requiring a hot climate and plenty of water, sugarcane is predominantly grown in Queensland with some in northern New South Wales. Over 4000 sugar cane farms produce 32-35 million tonnes of sugar cane each year, from which 4-4.5 million tonnes of raw sugar is extracted at sugarcane mills.
Do they still burn sugar cane in Qld?
It’s the only cane growing region in Queensland that still burns all of it’s cane before harvesting it. The Burdekin still burns sugarcane before harvesting because an abundance of water in the region makes the cane too leafy to cut.
Why do they set fire to sugar cane fields?
Farmers burn sugarcane crops before harvest to remove the leaves and tops of the sugarcane plant leaving only the sugar-bearing stalk to be harvested. This unnecessary harvesting practice negatively impacts the health, quality of life, and economic opportunity of residents living in and around the EAA.
