By the Queensland Government
Queensland is one of the most diverse and capable food and fibre production regions in the Southern Hemisphere. Tropical, subtropical and temperate climates enable year-round production across an extraordinary range of commodities. Here, you can produce anything.
From the tropical north, extensive grazing in central and western Queensland and fertile horticulture growing areas, Queensland’s food and fibre production is supported by infrastructure to export to global markets. Spanning 1.85 million square kilometres — about two and a half times the size of Texas — Queensland offers scale in production, unmatched elsewhere in Australia. Production in sync with nature to be sustainable now and for future generations. Queensland is well known for the Great Barrier Reef — one of five world heritage areas recognised for natural and cultural significance.
As the Principal Partner of the Global AgInvesting Conference Australia, the Queensland Government welcomes investors to experience the landscapes and opportunities across our vast state.
A beef powerhouse
Queensland is Australia’s beef powerhouse, with 45% of the national herd. A strong chain of production and processing stretches from inland native pastures to coastal grazing to support our breeding herds. Further south, Darling Downs is an important feedlot and processing hub that delivers to established supply chains for export.
Queensland beef operates across grass‑fed and grain‑fed systems to customisable market needs and specifications – whether halal-certified, premium Wagyu destined for Japan or certified product for European markets. Northern ports export live cattle to Indonesia and Vietnam, while southern and central processors specialise in branded beef known for marbling, organic lines and premium cuts. Queensland is well positioned to expand its value-adding capacity further.
Broadacre and irrigation advantages
Queensland’s broadacre industries are a valuable part of the agri-system, producing grains, oilseeds, pulses, fibre and sugar worth about $5 billion annually. Nearly 95% of Australia’s sugarcane and forage crops are grown in Queensland, including sorghum, maize and oats, supporting both domestic and export markets.
Darling Downs dominates broadacre cropping with wheat, barley, sorghum, chickpeas and cotton grown across irrigated and dryland systems. Available storage and freight infrastructure enables grains and pulses to be shipped directly to markets by container or bulk. West of Darling Downs, St George and Dirranbandi support high yield cotton and grain production, and irrigation around Emerald blends cotton, grains and horticulture – as one of Queensland’s most dependable inland cropping regions.
The Mackay and Burdekin regions are productive sugarcane districts, with irrigation expanding horticulture and rotation crops. Combining fertile soils, warm temperatures and milling and export infrastructure, Queensland supplies raw and refined sugar to global markets with efficiency and scale.
Water in the North West has created irrigation opportunities once limited to grazing. The Flinders and Gulf regions are new frontiers for broadacre cropping, where new infrastructure is opening the door to diversified investment. Queensland is well positioned to support growth into the bio-renewables sector, including energy, fuel and sustainable aviation fuel.
Horticulture hotspots
Queensland’s horticulture sector is a high value growth engine, valued at $2.8 billion per year and producing over 130 different fruit and vegetables. Several growing areas in Queensland anchor diversity of production: Bundaberg, Wide Bay Burnett, Bowen, Atherton Tablelands, Innisfail (95% of Australia’s bananas) and Lockyer Valley.
Bundaberg and Wide Bay Burnett are one of Australia’s most valuable horticulture areas. Bundaberg grows over 78 million avocados annually, alongside macadamias, citrus, berries, sweet potatoes and other vegetables. These products reach all global major markets.
The Atherton Tablelands delivers valuable fruit and vegetable production supported by the subtropical climate. Bowen and Gumlu regions produce tomatoes, capsicum, melons and vegetables, aligned to counter-seasonal opportunities. Closer to Brisbane, Lockyer Valley is Queensland’s food bowl, supplying year-round fresh vegetables and the Sunshine Coast adds berries and pineapples.
Queensland’s proximity to the whole Indo-Pacific, strong trade agreements and management of supply chains, positions the horticulture sector for growth and premium export opportunities.
Sustainable forestry
Queensland’s forestry and timber industry stretches along South East Queensland, inland and to the far north, growing softwood, native hardwood and cypress pine on state and privately-owned land.
Wide Bay Burnett and Fraser Coast regions have strong forestry clusters, supporting sawmilling, engineered timber and fibre-based manufacturing. Gympie and the South East add major softwood plantations supplying construction, packaging and advanced wood product manufacturing. Proximity to processing hubs, freight corridors and the
Port of Brisbane enable efficient domestic distribution and exports including pulp, paper and woodchips. The industry continues to evolve and innovate for greater value additions.
Premium fisheries and aquaculture
Queensland’s fisheries and aquaculture are highly valued, generating over $350 million annually from wild caught and aquaculture production. Our premium coral trout and Tropical Rock Lobster are highly sought after in offshore markets. Queensland has a scalable, climate positive platform for growth in high-value seafood production.
Cairns to Mackay hosts warm tropical waters, ideal conditions for aquaculture production. Queensland is home to some of Australia’s premium prawn and barramundi farms, supplying our domestic and international markets.
Logistics and connectivity
Queensland’s supply chains amplify its production strengths, with Brisbane, the state’s primary export and distribution centre. The Port of Brisbane handles substantial volumes of beef, horticulture, cotton, sugar and seafood, while Gladstone, Mackay, Townsville and Cairns are other ports utilised for northern and central producers.
Toowoomba’s Wellcamp Airport enables direct airfreight of high value meat and fresh horticulture, strengthening Queensland’s position as a supplier of premium produce. Cairns International Airport links to target markets and broader global connectivity through Japan and Singapore. As production scales the processing capacity and accelerating export growth continues.
Come visit Queensland, the Sunshine State — where you can produce anything.
Queensland is looking forward to welcoming investors and delegates to Brisbane at the Global AgInvesting Australia conference on June 8-11 2026.
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