Coffee,Tea, Milk and Sugar - All within a fifty kilometre radius of Cairns
Coffee
The figure for Australian dry coffee beans is currently thought to be over 2000 tonnes per annum. A major Arabica coffee production region in Australia is the Tropical Tablelands of far north Queensland within 100 kilometer radius of Cairns. With a recent world trend in demand for higher grade coffee Australia has received praise internationally. There is significant potential for Australia to become a large producer of specialty ‘boutique’ coffee.
Coffee plantation, Atherton Tablelands near Cairns © (Photo by: K.Austin) Copyright
Coffee berries © (Photo by: K.Austin) Copyright
Tea
The yield (the amount of leaf) from an acre of plantation can vary depending on location and climatic conditions, but generally there are accepted yield levels in the Tablelands The Nerada TEA plantation is situated just outside of Malanda on the Atherton Tablelands. They have 180 Hectare of Camomile trees. Freshly harvested tea is taken to the factory where it is oxidized and fermented into black tea. Tea is the most consumed beverage in the world, after water.
Tea plantation in the Atherton Tablelands near Cairns © (Photo by: K.Austin) Copyright
Milk
Dairy farming is an integral part of life for many on the Tropical Atherton Tablelands adjoining the Cairns coastal region. A Malanda factory makes all kinds of dairy products such as butter, cheese, yogurt and even makes the plastic milk containers that the milk is bottled in. The rainfall and lush green grass is ideal for dairy farming. Export potential of the north Queensland agricultural industry has a strong link to the region’s tourism industry, particularly when it comes to increasing exports into Asia, especially China. Cairns international airport has the ability to land fresh and sought-after agricultural produce into the huge markets located nearby across Asia.
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Dairy farm in Atherton Tablelands near Cairns © (Photo by: K.Austin) Copyright
Sugar
The sugar industry plays a major role in the Cairns economy, with mills located at Babinda and Mulgrave operating in the region contributing to the agricultural mix worth billions to the regional economy.
Sugar plantation & sugar mill in Gordonvale © (Photo by: K.Austin) Copyright
Almost 30 million tonnes of sugar is harvested annually in Queensland. Sugarcane is grown in the coastal region surrounding Cairns. In this climatic area the cane will grow in 12 months and when cut will regrow in another 12 months provided the roots are intact. The cane is crushed in a number of nearby sugar mills and shipped out of the Sugar Terminal at Cairns Port and onto the national and international markets across the world. MSF Sugar Tableland Sugar Mill has an expansion of a raw sugar production back end onto the existing juice mill. $42 million
Sugar plantation © (Photo by: K.Austin) Copyright
Tropical fruit
Cairns is extremely fortunate when it comes to growing a large variety of exotic tropical fruits south from Tully and north to the Daintree - Cape Tribulation coastal areas. Some of the less known rare tropical fruits that are gaining recognition are: Durian, Pedali, Keledang, Mendi, Kwai Muk, Chempedak, Sapodilla, Salak, JackFruit, Marang, Lakoocha, Madrono, Rambutan, Achacha, Maprang, Kepel Apple and Velvet Apple. These fruits have mostly originated from tropical Asia and are well suited to this high rainfall region. This is a growing market for the region and has great potential for export into Asia
Jack fruit grown in Cairns © (Photo by: K.Austin) Copyright
Durian, Lychees & Avocado at the Rusty’s Markets © (Photo by: K.Austin) Copyright
Jack fruit grown in Cairns © (Photo by: K.Austin) Copyright
Ben Vallely’s - The Fruit Bowl © (Photo by: Ben Vallely) Copyright
Ben Vallely, founder of The Fruit Bowl and wife Kristy run an exotic fruit and plant business in Cairns. Kristy also has an online site “The Imperfect Mum”
Planting vegetable seedlings © (Photo by: K.Austin) Copyright
Sub Tropical Fruit and Market Gardens
The Cairns region also supports a more temperate range of fruits and vegetables especially in the Tableland area. Some of the commercial temperate crops grown include: Peanuts, Mango, Lychee, Macadamia Nut, Avocado, Longan, Paw Paw, Bananas, Carambola, Pineapple, Soursop, Custard Apple, Loquat, Watermelon, Oranges, Lemons and Limes. Market garden produce includes: Kale, Spinach, Lettuce, Cabbage, Potatoes, Tomatoes, Beans, Corn, Onions, Shallots, Chilli, Celery etc. This area supplies much of the local consumption as well as southern markets and some International markets.
Russco's Plant Nursery in Atherton Tablelands © (Photo by: K.Austin) Copyright
Collecting vegetables from the garden © (Photo by: CJ McNamee) Copyright
