Growers of the Australian Agave Association have self-organised informally as a collaborative group for several years prior to officially incorporating in April 2025 as a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee. This body-corporate structure is suited to Associations operating nationally across Australia.

The Association is grower-focused but includes growers, breeders, producers, researchers, processors and distillers. It brings together Australia’s leading Agave researchers and growers, with valuable international links to peer and industry networks in Mexico, California and Portugal. Membership currently includes 14 members, eight of whom are founding growers, with more growers in the pipeline.

Early Agave plantings in Australia began in South Australia and Queensland. The industry is now establishing in WA, with support from the Agave Association to establish:
-A 3 ha planting with [Harvest Road](https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2022-12-19/harvest-road-to-produce-agave-spirit-at-brickhouse-station/101783596) at Brickhouse Station in the Gascoyne (2022), potentially expanding to 6 ha.
-New DPIRD trial of 400 plants at Katanning Research Station (August 2025) investigating how Agave performs in saline soils, brings nutritional value for livestock, impacts soil organic carbon over time, supports farm management in dry seasons and periods of drought.
-An ongoing AgriFutures pilot research project

**USES OF AGAVE**
Agave has applications in:
1. Functional food and beverages;
2. Nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, cosmeceuticals;
3. Biofuels, bioenergy, biochemicals, bioplastics;
4. Construction materials;
5. Stock feed;
6. Livestock systems shade, shelter, and fodder shrub for sheep/lambing

**FEATURES OF AGAVE**
Agave plants are highly drought-tolerant, adapted to arid and desert climates, and prefer infrequent watering. The plant holds potential for Australia, especially in low, variable rainfall areas, provides a farm enterprise solution in a drying and variable climate, putting farmers on the front foot for risk mitigation with alternatives.

"Agave can be grown on under-utilised, low rainfall land to produce high-yielding crops with minimal inputs. This provides a key advantage over alternative sources of biomass. The Australian agave industry provides a pathway to more efficient biofuel and biogas production" — Agrifutures Emerging Industries Report

"Agave is an incredible plant — resilient, versatile, and full of untapped potential for Australia. From sustainable farming to innovative products, there’s so much we can explore. It’s an exciting time to get involved!" — Prof. Rachel Burton, Director, Australian Agave Association.

**PURPOSE OF THE AGAVE ASSOCIATION**
The Purpose of the Australian Agave Association is to support the development of a resilient, profitable and sustainable agave industry in Australia.

The organisation pursues its purpose by:
1. Capitalising on Australia’s agricultural resources and its highly-regarded agricultural production credentials;

2. Building a data-driven, well-educated and informed industry working cohesively towards common goals by facilitating collaboration and dissemination of information;

3. Undertaking stakeholder consultation and coordinating research, development, extension and marketing plans and activities;

4. Advocating and working with government, semi-government and statutory and other authorities or commissions in developing the agave industry;

5. Building on competitive advantages of innovative, environmentally-conscious, and quality-focussed agricultural practices to foster an industry that is environmentally and economically sustainable across the entire value chain;

6. Developing and implementing rigorous biosecurity guidelines for agave production and processing in Australia;

7. Identifying and opportunities for agave applications:
a. in functional food and beverages;
b. in nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, cosmeceuticals;
c. in biofuels, bioenergy, biochemicals, bioplastics;
d. in construction materials;
e. as a stock feed,
[and more recently providing shade, shelter and fodder in sheep systems - see 8. below]

8. Working with stakeholders to devise agroecological production systems that take advantage of agave characteristics to minimise the displacement of food and fibre production, enhance biodiversity in the landscape, maximise productivity and minimise waste;

9. Working with industry to develop novel agave varieties suited to growing on marginal land in a wide array of geographic locations and edaphic conditions;

10. Expand knowledge of the agave value chain, including the development of domestic processing facilities;

11. Developing an understanding of the market for the agave locally and internationally, and marketing and promoting the products of Australian-grown agave;

The Agave Association are currently working with AgriFutures on the R&D plan for the industry, and want to be able to bring the GGA network into any opportunities that come from it. This follows an initial business case report for Agave prepared by Agrifutures in 2022 - https://agrifutures.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/22-134.pdf)

Considering applications for Future Drought Fund Drought Innovation Pilot Programs - https://www.grants.gov.au/Go/Show?GoUuid=98b0a9d2-65d6-4170-aae9-362cca77260c&keyword=go7798

Assisting AgriFutures in developing and publishing the 2022 industry business case report. Read here: <https://agrifutures.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/22-134.pdf>

The Agave Association hosted an industry kick-off workshop with 50 key stakeholders (growers / researchers / distillers / processors / nurseries / govt). View images here: <https://www.thewaite.org/australias-growing-agave-industry/>

Round table with the Sustainable Aviation Fuel community in Australia / China

Supporting with initial plantings in SA, QLD, WA, an ongoing pilot research project with AgriFutures, and plantings with DPIRD [Katanning]. This follows a DPIRD weed risk assessment outcome of 'negligible to low' in 2024. Report link: <https://library.dpird.wa.gov.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1000&context=bs_wra>