24 February 2026. Chris Punzell, AgForce Cane President.
The 2026 sugar season is unfolding against a backdrop of strong crop potential in key producing regions, yet overshadowed by a persistent global surplus and weak prices.
Mills in Queensland and Northern New South Wales are preparing for mid‑year crushing with optimism high about the crop quality, though concerns remain about global price pressures and rising input costs.
Producers face a challenging global environment. Yet despite these background pressures, Australia enters the 2026-27 sugar season with solid crop potential, improving weather conditions, and strong export demand from Asia.
With future sugar prices looking dismal, it once again brings the topic of diversification to the table. There was a recent submissions hearing set out by various sugar millers, cane farmer representative bodies and local development organisations trying to encourage biofuels and renewables under the feedstock study.
Hopefully these proposals will be accepted and implemented as this will not only make the sugar millers and cane farming businesses more sustainable, but it will also provide a flow-on effect to national security and the economy.
AgForce has recently sent out Expressions of Interest for new grower directors to join the Cane Board. We are aiming for two grower directors from each region.
With Niki Ford starting as our new CEO one of our main aims is increasing member contact and involvement, so we can deliver on improved member services and benefits across the state and increase our area of membership which covers up to 50% of Queensland .
AgForce Cane continues to advocate for stronger competition efficiencies, transparency and accountability within the sugarcane supply chain, including mill performance, season length, crush scheduling and cane payments as well as carrying out a review on the Sugar Code and the cost effectiveness of compulsory levies put on sugar cane growers and sugar millers.
Access to reliable and affordable water remains central to the long-term viability of cane production.
Farm Data sovereignty and protections are also becoming topical national issues, as mandatory emissions and supply chain reporting obligations expand under climate and sustainability frameworks.
There are two major events in Mackay and Ingham which I highly recommend everyone to make the effort to attend. These field days take a lot of work to bring together the numerous services and suppliers from our industry.
The Mackay Sugar and Ag Trade Expo at the Mackay showgrounds on 17th and 18th April is hosting displays from heavy machinery, rural supplies, farming equipment, irrigation, drones/demonstrations and countless more.
The other is the Next Gen 2026 Cane Forum in the Herbert and Burdekin areas on 3rd and 4th March, co-hosted by Aglantis and Queensland Cane Agriculture and Renewables.
It's an important year for all of our stakeholders to become involved - especially with sugar cane looking likely to be subject to an industry review this year. We need to be prepared as we haven't had a review for a long time.
