Tickets are now on sale for ABARES Outlook 2026, with the Bureau’s flagship annual conference set to bring the nation’s agriculture, fisheries and forestry leaders together on 3–4 March at Hotel Realm, Canberra and online.
This year’s theme: “Reset. Rethink. Regrow: Cultivating Tomorrow’s Opportunities”, signals a forward-focused agenda as the sector navigates shifting global markets, climate pressures and competing demands on land and sea use.
ABARES Executive Director Dr Jared Greenville said the 2026 conference will serve as an important forum for robust discussion and fresh thinking.
“We will host sessions to discuss commodity outlooks, competition in agriculture, land and sea use change, climate and sustainability, data, innovation and productivity, and food security,” Dr Greenville said.
“These discussions are important given the competing demands on farming and the challenging global trading environment.”
Across two days, the program will feature 10 sessions designed to spark meaningful dialogue and practical insight. Delegates can expect a dynamic mix of panels, presentations and fireside chats, creating space not only to share ideas, but to test them.
“For the first time, we will be hosting a friendly debate on what the focus should be for growing Australian agriculture, and we expect it to be a lively session,” Dr Greenville said.
The addition of a structured debate reflects the conference’s commitment to open exchange, encouraging stakeholders to examine different pathways for strengthening the sector’s long-term resilience and competitiveness.
The event will once again be broadcast live, enabling online delegates to view all sessions virtually. Digital attendees will also benefit from facilitated discussion led by Andrew Whitelaw and Matt Dalgleish of Episode 3, helping bridge the gap between in-room and remote participation.
Guiding delegates across the two days will be former BBC host, Nuffield Scholar and agriculture advocate Claire Taylor, who will emcee the conference and help steer conversations across a broad range of topics.
In addition to the formal program, networking remains a key feature of Outlook. Dr Greenville said the Council of Rural RDCs will sponsor the Welcome Sundowners function at the end of day one, providing an opportunity for industry leaders, policymakers, researchers and agribusiness professionals to connect in an informal setting.
“We’re also excited to have the Council of Rural RDCs sponsor the Welcome Sundowners networking function at the end of day one,” Dr Greenville said.
Outlook has long been regarded as a cornerstone event for Australia’s agricultural community, offering timely economic insights and a platform for collaborative thinking. With global trade uncertainty, sustainability targets and productivity challenges continuing to shape the operating environment, the 2026 conference aims to equip stakeholders with the tools and perspectives needed to move forward with confidence.
Registration is now open for both in-person and digital conference experiences via the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry website.
As the industry looks to reset priorities, rethink strategies and regrow opportunity, ABARES Outlook 2026 promises to deliver a timely and thought-provoking program for those invested in the future of Australian agriculture.
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