Across the Northern Rivers of New South Wales, preparations are underway for one of the most important periods in the Australian sugar industry.
As the 2026 crush season approaches, growers, harvest crews, transport operators and mill teams are working together to prepare for the months ahead. From the paddocks to the mills, every part of the process plays a role in delivering Australian grown sugar to homes, businesses and manufacturers across the country.
At Sunshine Sugar, the crush season represents far more than the start of production. It reflects generations of farming knowledge, committed teams of harvesting operators, experienced milling teams, regional collaboration and a shared commitment of across the New South Wales sugar industry.
What Is the Crush Season?
The crush season is the annual sugarcane harvesting and milling period, typically running from June through to November in New South Wales.
During this time, mature sugarcane is harvested and transported to Sunshine Sugar’s mills at Harwood, Broadwater and Condong, where it is processed into raw sugar before refining and distribution.
It is one of the most significant operational periods for the NSW sugar industry, involving growers, harvesting contractors, transport operators, mill workers, engineers and logistics teams working around the clock to keep the season moving safely and efficiently.
Preparing the Crop for Harvest
Months before the first cane is harvested, growers are already preparing their farms for the season ahead.
This includes monitoring crop maturity, maintaining drainage systems, preparing paddocks for machinery access and managing weeds and nutrition programs to support crop health.
Seasonal conditions continue to play an important role in shaping preparations each year. Following periods of variable weather across Northern NSW, growers have been carefully assessing paddock conditions to ensure crops are ready to handle heavy machinery and deliver quality sugar content.
For Broadwater grower Marty Walsh, preparation begins long before harvesters enter the paddock.
“You’re always planning ahead. Every season is different, and preparation is one of the biggest parts of making sure the crop is ready when the mills start.”
This connection between planning, experience and adaptability has long been part of the Australian sugar industry and remains critical to successful harvests today.
Mill Maintenance and Operational Readiness
While growers prepare the crop, Sunshine Sugar’s mill teams spend the off season undertaking extensive maintenance and engineering works across all three milling sites.
Every component of the milling process is inspected, repaired and tested ahead of the first cane arriving at the mills.
This work includes servicing crushing equipment, maintaining boilers and turbines, testing conveyors, inspecting safety systems and completing infrastructure upgrades designed to support operational reliability throughout the season.
The preparation period is essential to ensuring the mills can operate efficiently once harvesting begins.
At Harwood, Broadwater and Condong, teams work across mechanical, electrical and operational departments to prepare sites for continuous production during the crush.
Safety Across the Season
Safety remains a major focus throughout the NSW crush season.
With increased activity across farms, roads and mill sites, preparation includes safety training, equipment checks and operational planning designed to support workers, contractors and the wider community.
Harvesting crews, haulage operators and mill teams all play a role in maintaining safe practices during what is one of the busiest periods of the year.
From heavy machinery movements in paddocks to cane haulage across regional roads, the season relies on coordination, communication and shared responsibility.
For many involved in the industry, safety preparation begins well before the first day of crushing.
Supporting Regional Communities
The crush season also delivers significant economic and social value across the Northern Rivers region.
Sunshine Sugar directly employs more than 400 people and supports over 1,500 additional indirect jobs across farming, harvesting, transport, engineering, manufacturing and regional services.
For many communities throughout Northern NSW, the season represents employment opportunities, local business activity and the continuation of an industry that has helped shape the region for generations.
At the centre of this are the cane growing families who continue to invest in Australian agriculture and regional manufacturing.
Harwood grower and NSW Cane Growers Association Chairman Ross Farlow says the season is about more than production.
“There’s a real sense of teamwork across the industry during crush. Everyone has a role to play, and you see communities come together to make it happen.”
From Cane to Crystal
Once harvested, sugarcane begins its journey through Sunshine Sugar’s milling and refining operations.
After crushing, juice is extracted from the cane and processed into raw sugar. The raw sugar is then refined at Harwood, home to one of only four sugar refineries in Australia and the only 100 percent Australian owned refinery in the country.
From there, Sunshine Sugar products are supplied to kitchens, cafes, bakeries and food manufacturers nationwide.
It is a process built on Australian farming, regional expertise and a strong commitment to quality and sustainability.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Season
As preparations continue across Northern NSW, the upcoming crush season represents another chapter in the long history of sugarcane growing in the region.
From growers preparing paddocks to mill teams completing final maintenance works, the season is powered by the people behind the industry.
Their work helps ensure Australian grown, made and owned sugar continues to reach households and businesses across the country while supporting regional communities for generations to come.
At Sunshine Sugar, the 2026 crush season is not only about producing sugar. It is about continuing a proud agricultural legacy built on hard work, partnership and community across the Northern Rivers of New South Wales.
Adam Viertel, CEO of Sunshine Sugar said, “Kicking off the annual crushing season is always a time of great excitement and trepidation. Months of maintenance work is put to the ultimate test as bins of sugarcane make their way to the sugar mill for processing. Maintaining efficiency from paddock to mill will be key to a successful season.
Our growers do their utmost to grow the very best crops they can and our job at the sugar mills is to extract every bit of value out of those crops to deliver a quality sugar product to our customers and maximum returns to our growers.“
FAQ: The 2026 Crush Season in Northern NSW
- What is the crush season in Northern NSW?
The crush season is the annual period when harvested sugarcane is delivered to mills and processed into raw sugar. In New South Wales, the season typically begins in June and continues through to late November.
- What are growers doing to prepare for the 2026 crush season?
Growers across the Northern Rivers are preparing paddocks, maintaining access areas and getting machinery ready. Many are also harvesting the last of their soybean crops, which help improve soil condition before replanting sugarcane.
- Why are soybeans grown between sugarcane crops?
Soybeans are commonly used as a fallow crop because they help condition the soil and naturally contribute nitrogen. This supports future sugarcane growth while helping improve overall soil health.
- What happens at the sugar mills before crushing begins?
During the off season, Sunshine Sugar’s mills at Harwood, Broadwater and Condong undertake extensive maintenance programs. This includes servicing equipment, inspecting infrastructure and preparing operations for continuous crushing throughout the season.
- How is sugarcane transported from farm to mill?
Once harvested, sugarcane is transported from the field to on-farm delivery points where it is tipped into bins that are collected and hauled by truck to the mills. Coordinated logistics and scheduling systems help ensure cane arrives quickly for processing.
- Why is safety such an important focus during the crush season?
The crush season involves heavy machinery, haulage operations and continuous mill activity across the region. Safety preparation, training and equipment checks are essential to supporting workers, contractors and local communities throughout the season.