Far North Queensland is playing host to the world this week as leading voices in the global sugar industry converge on Cairns for the World Association of Beet and Cane Growers (WABCG) Conference – returning to Australia for the first time in almost two decades.
Running from 24–26 June, the three-day conference brings together grower representatives, policymakers and industry experts from around the world to tackle the big issues facing sugarcane and sugar beet producers.
Hosted by CANEGROWERS Australia, the event is a rare opportunity to showcase the local industry on the international stage, and to highlight the innovation, sustainability and resilience of Australia’s cane-growing regions.
“This is a moment to put our industry and our region in the global spotlight,” CANEGROWERS Chairman Owen Menkens said.
“From trade and climate to bioenergy and the future of farming, the WABCG Conference is where the world’s sugar producers compare challenges, share solutions, and drive the industry forward. And Australia has a lot to offer that conversation.”
Alongside formal sessions, the program includes cultural experiences and field trips to cane farms across the Tablelands and Gordonvale, offering delegates a hands-on look at farming in one of the world’s most unique sugar-growing regions.
WABCG represents growers from 34 countries, and this week’s conference in Cairns places Australia at the heart of global conversations shaping the future of sugar.
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