We have confirmed our start dates for the 2026 production season, with the first of our factories kicking off on Tuesday 2 June.

The other sites will start a week later, on Tuesday 9 June.

General Manager Operations James Wallace said the planned start dates were based on pre-season crop estimates for each region, factory readiness and expected paddock conditions.

“We've got a bigger crop than last year, and we're keen to get the season under way to minimise the risk of a late finish and the associated challenges of pushing into the wet season,” Mr Wallace said.

“Our goal is to have all factories crushed out by mid-to-late November.”

All four of Wilmar's Burdekin mills - Invicta, Pioneer, Kalamia and Inkerman - are scheduled to start on 2 June.

Plane Creek Mill at Sarina is also scheduled to start on 2 June.

Proserpine Mill has a planned start date of 9 June.

The Herbert factories - Victoria and Macknade mills - are also set to start on 9 June.

General Manager Engineering Istvan Torok said the maintenance season works program was well advanced and pre-season commissioning was under way.

“We had large maintenance and capital programs to deliver, and this was only possible through the significant efforts of our people and service providers," Mr Torok said.

“Our programs covered improvements across our factories, cane rail network and rolling stock. As this maintenance season wraps up, we're preparing to support the crush and prepare for next year's works program.”