Global Spotlight On Queensland Cane

By Owen Menkens, CANEGROWERS Chairman

Cairns took on a sweet international flavour last week, with grower representatives, policymakers and sugar industry experts from across the globe touching down for a major international conference.

It was the first time in almost two decades that Australia had hosted the World Association of Beet and Cane Growers (WABCG), so it was more than just a feather in the cap – it was a rare chance to put Queensland cane on the world stage.

Over three days, delegates delved into the big topics – trade, climate, bioenergy, and the future of farming.

And while cane and beet are very different crops, grown in different conditions, the challenges and ambitions of growers around the world proved surprisingly similar – including grappling with government regulations and navigating international markets.

But it wasn’t all meeting rooms and keynote speeches. Delegates also headed out to the paddock to see firsthand how cane is grown in the far north – where GPS tech, efficient irrigation and reef-safe practices are just part of the job. For many, it was a real eye-opener.

And the timing couldn’t have been better. Here in Queensland, there’s fresh energy behind the idea that cane can power more than just our mills.

The Crisafulli Government recently announced a parliamentary inquiry into how sugarcane could drive a new wave of clean energy – think electricity from bagasse and biofuels made from juice and molasses, including the kind of aviation fuel global airlines are crying out for.

These aren’t just concepts on a whiteboard. They’re proven technologies. What’s needed now are the right policy settings to scale them up and give investors the confidence to back them.

There’s a lot at stake – but also a lot to be excited about. A strong, modern cane industry means regional jobs, export income, and solutions to some of the world’s biggest energy problems.

The WABCG conference may have wrapped up, but the ideas and connections forged in Cairns could help shape what comes next.

Let’s hope the right people were paying attention.

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