The sugar industry is an important industry in Australia. In 2024, it was valued at $2.5 billion per annum. Requiring a hot climate and plenty of water, sugarcane is predominantly grown in Queensland with some in northern New South Wales. Sugar is the second largest agricultural export from Queensland. Over 4000 sugar cane farms produce 32–35 million tonnes of sugar cane each year, from which 4–4.5 million tonnes of raw sugar is extracted at sugarcane mills. In 2011, there were 24 sugar mills in Australia, ranging from Mossman in Queensland to Grafton in New South Wales. Mackay Region is known for its five locally owned mills. Altogether they produce enough sugar to support Central Queensland and Northern Queensland. They range from Racecourse Sugar Mill, Farleigh Mill, Marian Mill, Proserpine Mill and Sarina Sugar Shed. Queensland's first industrial-scale sugar plantation commenced in Moreton Bay in 1864.