Positive outcome for sugarcane growers in FTA

Australia’s sugarcane growers have welcomed the opportunity to grow sugar exports to the United Kingdom under an in-principle trade deal between the two countries.

“The proposed UK-Australia Free Trade Agreement will deliver a positive economic benefit for us through immediate and substantial up-front tariff-free access for 80,000 tonnes of Australian sugar,” CANEGROWERS Chairman Paul Schembri said. “This is a significant boost on the 9,925 tonne quota to the whole European Union prior to Brexit.

“Importantly too, this agreement with the UK allows for the sugar trade to grow over time by 20,000 tonnes each year for the next eight years.

“Australian sugar hasn’t had this kind of access since 1973 when the UK joined the then European Common Market.”

Trade Minister Dan Tehan has been in regular contact with CANEGROWERS during the long-running negotiations and we thank the Australian Government for its efforts in securing an agreement with a substantial and positive outcome for the sugar industry.

“Australian sugar is of high quality, sustainably and ethically produced and well placed to top up local beet sugar production so that UK refiners can meet domestic consumption demands,” Mr Schembri said.

“Australia has well-established markets in the Asia-Pacific region and these will continue to be the main focus of our sugar sales. A UK-FTA will provide a welcome diversification for our export-oriented industry.

“With 85% of our sugar exported, this deal reached by the Australian Government with the UK opens new opportunities for trade, new opportunities to capture price premiums and a chance to grow our industry.”