Mackay Sugar and MSF Sugar today entered into an agreement to toll crush up to 400,000 tonnes of Mackay Sugar contracted cane per season at the Tableland Mill in the 2016, 2017 and 2018 seasons.

The agreement, which is subject to satisfaction of a number of conditions, extends the arrangements made for the 2015 season between the parties and continues to provide for the Tablelands cane to be transported to MSF Sugar’s Tableland Mill for crushing as opposed to Mackay Sugar’s Mossman Mill.

Mackay Sugar CEO Jason Lowry said the tolling agreement was mutually beneficial and will enable MSF Sugar to utilise its current spare capacity at the Tableland Mill while providing a shorter crushing season length for Mackay Sugar’s Mossman and Tablelands growers.

“Mackay Sugar will continue to be responsible for the marketing of sugar and molasses toll crushed by MSF Sugar and will be responsible for cane payments to growers under the collective Cane Supply Agreement.

“Mackay Sugar will engage with relevant stakeholders to finalise the planning and logistics to give effect to the agreement,” Mr Lowry said.

MSF Sugar CEO Mike Barry said the arrangement was good news all round – for MSF Sugar, for Tableland and Mossman region growers and for the continued viability of Tableland Mill and its employees.

“Tableland Mill will continue to operate under a 7-day operation for the term of the new agreement

“We look forward to continuing to work with the Tableland region growers and to mill their cane reliably and efficiently into the future,” Mr Barry said.

Both the Mackay Sugar’s Mossman Mill and the Tableland Mill is expected to handle a crop of approximately 820,000 tonnes in the 2016 season with both mills expected to commence the crushing season in late May

Source – Mackay Sugar & MSF Sugar Joint Media Release