18 November 2014
QSL Media Release

The head of Australia’s leading raw sugar marketer, Queensland Sugar Limited (QSL), has today expressed disappointment at the decision to exclude Australian raw sugar from the latest China Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

QSL CEO Greg Beashel said the decision is a missed opportunity for the Australian sugar industry.

“There is no good reason for raw sugar to be left out of this Free Trade Agreement with China, especially considering the country’s increasing appetite for our product,” said Mr. Beashel.

China currently imports around four million tonnes of raw sugar every year and this figure is expected to increase to meet domestic consumption needs.
“Australia is well placed to capitalise on this opportunity from China, with QSL already providing high quality raw sugar to Chinese clients on time, in full and within strict import requirements,” said Mr. Beashel.

In announcing today’s FTA, the Federal Government acknowledged a number of key issues still needed to be resolved and these will be further developed during a three year review of the FTA.

Mr. Beashel said QSL welcomes the review period and urges the Federal Government to support the Australian sugar industry by seeking to include raw sugar in any and all future FTAs.

Carla Keith
Phone: 0409 372 305
Email: carla.keith@qsl.com.au