The first summer shipment of molasses from Vietnam will arrive in Brisbane on Tuesday to help alleviate a supply shortfall across Queensland.
The vessel will bring in 500 tonnes of molasses, bound for drought-stricken producers across the state.
Since announcing the scheme in December, AgForce has been contacted by 42 producers seeking over 3500 tonnes of molasses.
Central Queensland led the way in demand with 18 inquiries, while nine came from south east Queensland, seven from southern inland Queensland, four from south-west Queensland and four from North Queensland.
Some molasses is also expected to delivered to producers in NSW.
Richard Milne from South Australia-based importer Agritrading said they were happy to work with AgForce to support Queensland producers in need.
"We have product on the water right now and the first shipment arrives in Brisbane on January 14," he said.
"We will have shipments arriving on a weekly basis in Brisbane until there is there is rain or until a new crush begins.
Mr Milne said he believed many producers had held off sourcing additional molasses, hoping that their existing supplies would see them through.
"Everyone's been holding off as long as they could, hoping for that summer rain," he said.
"I think at this stage, farmers need to think about what they need as there is a four to five week lead time to the molasses actually being delivered."
But the imported molasses comes with a price tag.
Ashley Sprenger of Sprenger's Rural Traders, Haigslea, has been working directly with producers to get the valuable food source to their properties.
Mr Sprenger said by the time sea and road freight was factored in, most deliveries were costing more than $500 a tonne.
"It's just been ongoing for us with people chasing molasses," he said.
"At least now we can offer it.
"It's very expensive but it's better than having nothing to offer people who want it.
"The people who want to take it are desperate... they need to finish their cattle and are willing to pay the price."
The shipment will arrive in bladders packed into shipping containers and Mr Sprenger said once it arrives at Haigslea, work will start immediately to get the molasses out to desperate producers.
"It's going from between here and Rockhampton... some's going south towards Wagga," Mr Sprenger said.
"Most people are taking 40 to 50 tonnes, some are taking multiple loads.
"It just depends on how many cattle they have left to feed and how long they need to feed them."
