Page 19 - Tropic Magazine Issue 27

TROPIC • AGRICULTURE

1. Sugarcane field, Babinda
2. Stephen Calcagno, Board of Sugar
Terminals Limited

Sweet returns

Cairns sugarcane terminal
contains just two sheds
1 and services only three
local producers, but
the 250,000 tonne
terminal generates
Sugar industry an estimated annual
revenue of $112 million.
in safe hands (Supplied by STL)

NEW APPOINTMENT
Out of the field and
into the boardroom,
Babinda-based sugarcane
grower Stephen Calcagno has
joined an industry-leading
export company.

Words: Brooke Cooper 2

Tropical North Queensland’s sugar is critical to maintaining Australia’s
industry is in safe hands following the reputation as a reliable supplier of Trawler to table
election of a local grower to the Board quality sugar to the world market.”
of Sugar Terminals Limited (STL). Canegrowers Chairman Paul Schembri We’ve all heard of “paddock to
Babinda-based producer Steve also welcomed the election of plate”, but what about “trawler
Calcagno will represent the region in Mr Calcagno to the STL Board. to table”? Much of our region’s
the leading export company, which “With Stephen Calcagno, growers’ spectacular seafood is sent to
handles over 90% of Australia’s raw interests are in safe hands,” he said. Brisbane for processing and
sugar produce. “He’s an experienced representative back to Cairns again, resulting
Mr Calcagno, also the Chairman for dedicated to his fellow growers who in over 3000km of unnecessary
CANEGROWERS Cairns Region, is also open-minded and forward- food miles. Farmer Meets
told Tropic he’s looking to expand the thinking, meaning he will work with Foodie is here to change that.
potential of the Cairns sugarcane other board members for the benefit They’ve recently launched
terminal, as well as bring in some of the company and the industry a home-delivery service for
“big picture thinking” to the entire as a whole.” sustainably caught seafood,
company’s benefit. STL owns and operates the bulk sugar which will not only help the
“Cairns is an underutilised port and we terminal in Cairns, as well as six others environment, but deliver fairer
need to maintain it and surrounding in Mourilyan, Lucinda, Townsville, returns for our local fisheries.
terminals so all our growers have access Mackay, Bundaberg and Brisbane. Gone are the days of tinned
to them,” he said. The company’s shares – owned tuna when you can get top-
“There’s a lot of uncertainty around at exclusively by sugarcane growers and quality tiger prawns delivered
the minute, but I see a bright future millers – grew by 6.9% in 2020, despite straight to your door!
for this industry and I want to make this year’s unpredictable activity in the
sure that we make the best decisions stock market. MORE:
possible for growers at all levels. farmermeetsfoodie.com.au
“STL owns Queensland’s bulk sugar MORE: sugarterminals.com.au
shipping facilities so its management

19 • tropicnow.com.au