Agribusiness

The region supports diverse natural fisheries and a growing aquaculture industry.

Food processing/manufacturing

• There are six sugar mills in the region, four in the Pioneer Valley, one in Sarina to the South and one in Proserpine to the north
• A sugar refinery in Mackay
• A 60ml ethanol distillery producing fuel grade ethanol in Sarina.  By products are utilised as stock feed and fertilizer
• Beef and pork processing plants
• Value adding to horticultural production throughout the region (eg semi dried tomatoes, mango products)
• Development of a Furfural plant at Prosperpine sugar mill
• Proposed electricity co-generation and ethanol production project for Mackay Sugar Racecourse Mill

There are significant opportunities in agribusiness including:

• Increased value adding to sugar cane
• Export markets for tropical and sub-tropical fruit
• Value-adding to horticultural products
• Aquaculture production
• Renewable energy production