Queensland sugarcane grower and CANEGROWERS Australia chairman Owen Menkens has been elected president of the World Association of Beet and Cane Growers (WABCG), marking a milestone for Australia’s sugar industry.
The announcement was made on the final day of the WABCG Conference in Cairns last Wednesday, with delegates from 38 member countries unanimously endorsing Menkens to lead the peak international body representing sugarcane and beet growers.
“It’s a great honour to be elected to this position and to represent growers from around the world,” Menkens said.
“Sugar producers globally are facing many shared challenges – from trade access and climate change to sustainability and pricing. The WABCG plays an important role in ensuring that growers’ voices are heard and that we learn from one another.”
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The 2025 WABCG Conference marked the event’s long-awaited return to Australia after more than 15 years. Held over three days, the gathering featured discussions on the industry’s future, tours of sugarcane farms across Far North Queensland, and opportunities to experience the region’s unique culture and hospitality.
CANEGROWERS CEO Dan Galligan said Mr Menkens’ appointment was a strong endorsement of Australia’s commitment to sustainable and grower-led production.
“Owen is a passionate advocate for farmers and for the future of our industry,” Galligan said. “His election as WABCG President is a recognition of both his leadership and the role Australian growers play on the world stage.”
The conference concluded with a field tour of the Tableland and Gordonvale regions, giving international delegates a firsthand look at Queensland’s innovative sugarcane farming practices.
CANEGROWERS is a not-for-profit public company providing a professional and cohesive voice for growers across all of Queensland’s sugarcane regions
Regardless of farm size, whether someone is an individual grower, a family business, or corporate enterprise, CANEGROWERS works for the best possible outcomes for their business and the industry. CANEGROWERS’ diversity is its strength, and it draws on this diversity as it sets priorities to achieve its vision of a secure and profitable future.