Growers' perspectives on the viability of sugarcane farming systems in Central Queensland

Growers in the sugar cane industry have been struggling under financial pressure for several years. Sugar prices have been low while costs of production continue to rise. In addition, adverse weather conditions and pest damage have exacerbated the situation. The future viability of the sugar industry has been questioned in several major reports and it is generally agreed that the industry will have to undergo some changes. This paper reports the findings of a recent survey of growers in three regions of central Queensland designed to assess how growers view profitability and restructuring prospects, and to identify the extent to which growers are attempting to achieve productivity gains.