The industry came together at the ninth Australian Banana Industry Congress on the Sunshine Coast earlier this month to highlight the strengths of the industry and embrace its theme: “Growing stronger with determination, purpose and vision”.

More than 300 growers attended the four-day conference which included expert speakers on a range of topics from marketing to disease and variety research.

Australia’s banana hub, North Queensland, was well represented with many Tully and Mission Beach growers putting reconstruction plans on hold to attend.

The event also marked the 50th anniversary of the formation of the Australian Banana Growers Council (ABGC).

Cameron MacKay, president, ABGC said the industry was buoyed by the attendance.

“Considering what growers have been through and to have that amount of growers turn up down there was incredible really,” he said.

“It was really, truly an Australian conference. It wasn’t just Queensland. It had good representation from all the states.”

The congress began with around-the-world sailor and Young Australian of the Year Jessica Watson opening proceedings after a presentation about her journey and inspiring delegates to reach for their goals.

Topics covered throughout included consumer analysis, transportation issues, supermarket perceptions, sub-tropical banana production, production systems, waste management and variety selection.

A trade display also provided an information avenue for attendees.

With recovery and “moving forward” the overall thrust of the conference, there was little discussion given to the foreign import situation.

“It’s probably not something that we raised too much at the conference. I think we just touched on it here and there in parts,” Mr MacKay said.

“This one here was more about getting your business back up and running again rather than harping on what’s gone on in the past.”

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