EXCLUSIVE: 2024 crushing season at Mossman Sugar Mill no longer guaranteed: Chairman
SOME DOUBT
The future of one of the Douglas Shire’s biggest and most iconic employers remains unclear following the dissemination of a letter from a chairman to a range of relevant stakeholders around the region.
Just days ago, on November 10 Far Northern Milling chairperson Rajinder Singh said through written correspondence that “the viability of the Mill for the 2024 season can no longer be assured”.
That potentially devastating blow comes just months after Far North Milling suggested that back on June 13 it looked like it would be in a financial position to crush next season based on the financial modelling that was available at the time.
However Mr Singh revealed a number of reasons as to why next season’s crush may now not proceed.
These factors include:
The reduction in 1) “actual crop tonnage as against that which was forecasted at the beginning of the 2023 season”, 2) “significant reduction in actual CCS as against that which was forecasted at the beginning of the 2023 season”, 3) “extended cane supply stoppages” and lastly less than ideal weather conditions.
Mr Singh further suggested that given the ongoing uncertainty of next year’s season “that growers should strongly consider their farming and operational expenditure beyond November 10”.
Newsport first became aware next year’s season was potentially in some doubt a number of months ago, however those claims were quickly hosed down by company staff at the time.
“We notified our growers on 13th June that we will be operating for (the) 2024 season and this position has not changed,” Far Northern Milling (FNM) general manager Bronwyn Dwyer told Newsport’s David Gardiner in a text message on September 6.
“You would do very well not to listen to rumours in this town.”
In his closing remarks Mr Singh said everything is still being done in attempt to ensure next season goes ahead.
“We continue to work with our advisors in respect of the financial position of the company, and the viability of the Mossman Mill moving forward,” Mr Singh wrote in his correspondence.
“We will revert to growers once a path forward becomes clear.
“We expect to be in a position to provide Growers with further information in the week commencing November 20.”
Mossman Mill is one of the region’s biggest employers, with approximately 140 employees during the cane crushing season and 85 employees during the maintenance season.
In operation since 1896, Mossman Mill crushes cane supplied by about 140 local growers.
Crushing typically runs for five months from June to November, with maintenance performed during the rest of the year.
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