CANEGROWERS Demand Wilmar Act On Rail Failures Impacting 2025 Crop

Canegrowers Herbert River Chairman Steven Marbelli and Manager Frank Scardamaglia have met with Wilmar’s leadership team to voice growing frustration over the continued failures in the company’s rail and transport operations. The meeting, held earlier this week, came in response to a string of derailments and locomotive incidents that have plagued the region’s harvest operations and shaken the confidence of growers and harvesting contractors.

With two more derailments occurring recently, the pressure has mounted for Wilmar to not only acknowledge the systemic issues but to urgently formulate and communicate a clear improvement plan.

“Growers and harvester operators have simply had enough,” Mr Marbelli said. “We’re already facing a poor crop due to the February floods, and the ongoing rail breakdowns are now threatening what’s left of this season’s viability.

"The lack of performance from Wilmar’s transport division is unacceptable.”

Mr Scardamaglia reinforced the point that confidence in Wilmar’s ability to crush the crop in a timely manner is at an all-time low.

“It’s not just about the derailments – it’s about a broader pattern of unreliability, lack of communication, and an absence of visible strategy. The performance this year has been far below industry expectations. If Wilmar doesn’t turn this around 180 degrees, we’re going to see serious consequences for growers’ bottom lines,” he said.

Local grower Michael Reinaudo, who is also a harvester contractor and one of the largest growers in the district, echoed these concerns, stating, “We can’t keep investing in our operations only to be let down by a transport system that doesn’t function. Every day there’s a delay is another day we risk losing cane. If this keeps up, some growers simply won’t want to continue growing or supporting the industry.”

Canegrowers Herbert River urged Wilmar to provide a detailed plan on how they intend to stabilise their rail operations and rebuild trust with the grower base. This includes addressing the root causes of the ongoing derailments, ensuring proper maintenance and staffing levels, and communicating with growers more transparently and proactively.

Growers have already made major investments in this season, and many are now being forced to absorb additional costs and delays because of rail failures that are outside their control. With the wet weather earlier in the year already damaging crop yields, growers cannot afford further disruption from operational mismanagement.

Canegrowers Herbert River has committed to keeping its members updated and will continue to hold Wilmar accountable until meaningful improvements are seen across the transport network.

“Wilmar must now step up and deliver real solutions – the industry is depending on it,” Mr Marbelli said.

Contributed with thanks to Canegrowers Herbert River.

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