Download IndUSTRY In FIGURES - Australian Sugarcane

INDUSTRY
IN FIGURES
31
SECTION 4
industry in
figures
Australian production
Source: Queensland sugar mills, NSW Sugar Milling Cooperative, CJ Ord River Sugar Mill
ABOVE: 2008–09 saw the continuation of a declining trend in cane production in most
districts as growers responded to several years of poor prices and high input costs.
BELOW: A reduction in planted area in Queensland and the negative impact of frosts and
flooding in NSW all contributed to a five per cent fall in sugar production compared to
2007–08.
Source: Queensland sugar mills, NSW Sugar Milling Cooperative, CJ Ord River Sugar Mill
32 — AUSTRALIAN SUGARCANE ANNUAL 2009
SECTION 4
industry in
figures
Source: Queensland sugar mills, NSW Sugar Milling Cooperative, CJ Ord River Sugar Mill
ABOVE: High input costs, low prices on offer at planting and competition from
alternative crop opportunities saw the sugarcane area fall to just over 370,000
hectares. This is a level not seen since 1995.
BELOW: The average cane yield was back by two per cent on the 2007–08 figure of
88 tonnes per hectare but a general improvement in CCS levels across most districts
saw a three per cent improvement in sugar yield per hectare.
Source: Queensland sugar mills, NSW Sugar Milling Cooperative, CJ Ord River Sugar Mill
AUSTRALIAN SUGARCANE ANNUAL 2009 — 33
SECTION 4
industry in
figures
World production
Source: **ABARE projection
and FAOSTAT
ABOVE: The actual area planted to sugarcane is an increasingly shadowy figure as
farmers move in and out of cane quickly in search of higher returns from competing
crops. It’s estimated that the 2008–09 cane area fell by around five per cent on the
previous year. An eight per cent fall in sugar production reflected the reduced area and
the increased diversion into ethanol production in Brazil. With consumption steadily
increasing and reduced production closing stocks fell.
BELOW: Brazil remains the standout producer and this was made even more apparent in
2008–09 with the significantly reduced tonnage from India.
Source: ABARE/FAO/USDA/FAS PSD
34 — AUSTRALIAN SUGARCANE ANNUAL 2009
SECTION 4
industry in
figures
Source: * ABARE estimate and
**ABARE forecast
LEFT: This is a happy
graph for Australian
growers – average
return for cane in
2009–10 is forecast to
be around $43 a tonne,
compared with $31
a tonne in 2008–09
and $26 a tonne in
2007–08.
The international scene
LEFT: Again the sorts
of figures the entire
industry likes to see
– favourable world
sugar prices mean
favourable returns and
the projections are
for a reduced rate of
increase into 2009–10
but an increase none
the less.
ABOVE LEFT: Korea remains Australia’s largest sugar customer accounting for 30 per
cent of total exports of some 3.4 million tonnes.
AUSTRALIAN SUGARCANE ANNUAL 2009 — 35
Source: ABARE
SECTION 4
industry in
figures
NOTE: Includes exports of both raw and white sugar measured in raw sugar equivalents.
Source: USDA/FAS PSD
ABOVE: Brazil remains the world sugar powerhouse. In a year when there was a
significant increase in the percentage of the crop committed to ethanol production, Brazil
still managed sugar exports of around 20 million tonnes.
BELOW: Demand around the world remained strong despite the global financial
meltdown. Sugar remains an affordable and desirable part of the diet of most cultures.
Source: ABARE/USDA/FAS PSD
36 — AUSTRALIAN SUGARCANE ANNUAL 2009