Agriculture employs the highest proportion of the workforce in Mareeba Shire and forms the bedrock of the regional economy. The broader Tablelands horticulture sector contributes more than $530 million annually to the economy, making it one of Australia's most significant agricultural production zones.

The region's unique combination of tropical climate, reliable water from the Mareeba-Dimbulah Water Supply Scheme, and rich volcanic soils enables year-round production of an extraordinary range of crops. Traditional crops like bananas, mangoes, limes, avocados, and lychees now grow alongside newcomers including cotton, blueberries, and expanded citrus plantings.

Mareeba produces approximately 70% of Australia's coffee, with plantations clustered on the red basalt soils of the Atherton Tablelands. The region is also one of the country's largest fruit-producing areas, with avocado orchards alone generating $47 million annually and mango production contributing $40 million.

The sugar cane industry remains a major economic driver in the Mareeba district. MSF Sugar's Tableland Mill produces approximately $45 million in export revenue, harvesting from 6,600 hectares across 75 farms throughout the region.

MSF Sugar, a Thai-owned agribusiness, has invested $85 million in recent years transforming from a traditional raw sugar operation into a diversified sugarcane business producing multiple bio-products. The flagship project converts agricultural waste (sugarcane bagasse) into 24 megawatts of baseload renewable power. Over two-thirds of the electricity generated is sold to the national electricity grid, with the remainder sustainably powering the sugar mill itself.

The Mareeba Saleyards is one of northern Australia's busiest livestock selling centres, established by northern cattlemen and privately operated for over 25 years. The facility operates on the ethos that all producers are equal regardless of size, with small dividends to shareholders and profits returned to facility improvements.

Recent seasons have been record-breaking. In 2021, the saleyards experienced their biggest year since 2004, with more than 50,000 head yarded in Tuesday sales. All 19 sales in that period grossed over $2 million each, with the highest single sale processing 2,648 head for a record-breaking gross of $2,557,104. Average prices per head reached $1,178.54 compared to just $286 per head in 1996/97.

Cotton

Cotton is an emerging crop for the Mareeba region, with over 13 growers in recent seasons and plantings predicted to increase by up to 30 percent. The Far North Queensland Sustainable Cotton Group provides a collective voice for growers spread throughout the Atherton Tablelands, Ravenshoe, Mt Surprise, Georgetown, and Mareeba.

The industry was first triggered by the arrival of large growers from southern states impacted by drought, who were attracted by the rainfall reliability in Far North Queensland. Local growers have described results as encouraging, with cotton emerging as a potential alternative to corn and sorghum crops that face challenges from Fall Armyworm.

Tourism

Tourism is a growing economic contributor, with Mareeba Shire positioned as the gateway to the Atherton Tablelands. Key attractions include Kuranda Rainforest Village (accessible by Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and scenic railway), the ancient Chillagoe Caves with 400-million-year-old limestone formations, coffee plantation tours, Granite Gorge Nature Park, and the Mareeba Wetlands conservation reserve.

The region is recognised as the hot air ballooning capital of Australia, taking advantage of the calm early morning conditions and spectacular Tablelands landscape. Major events including the Rotary FNQ Field Days (northern Australia's largest) and the Mareeba Rodeo draw thousands of visitors annually.

Renewable Energy

Beyond sugar cane biomass energy, the region's abundant sunshine and available land are attracting investment in solar energy generation. Mareeba Shire Council's rating categories include dedicated classifications for renewable energy facilities ranging from under 49 MW to over 200 MW capacity, reflecting the scale of projects being developed or proposed in the shire.

Mareeba Shire experienced a significant property boom in the post-COVID period, with the strongest market in more than three decades. Building approvals rose from 327 in 2019-20 to 429 in 2020-21, while residential building approvals surged from $22 million to more than $49 million in the same period.

The region has attracted significant demand from tree-changers and interstate buyers seeking the lifestyle benefits of tropical North Queensland living at Tablelands prices. First-time buyers and seasoned investors have returned to the market, drawn by strong returns and extremely low vacancy rates. New residential developments are underway across the shire to meet growing demand.

Agriculture employs the highest proportion of the Mareeba Shire workforce of any single industry. Many agribusinesses employ fewer than 20 people, with demand for labour consistently high across the seasonal cycle. Historically, up to 60% of casual and contract labour positions on farms were filled by overseas workers through seasonal worker programs.

The Queensland Agriculture Workforce Network (QAWN), a rural jobs and skills initiative supported by the Queensland Government, actively connects workers with agricultural employment opportunities in the region. FNQ Growers, established in 1944, represents the horticultural industry and works with government on workforce development strategies.

Mining has been part of the Mareeba Shire economy since the Palmer River gold rush of 1873. Today, the shire hosts mining leases and claims under the Mineral Resources Act 1989, ranging from small operations with fewer than 5 employees to major operations employing over 20 people. The Chillagoe area has historically produced copper, lead, zinc, gold, and marble.

The extractive industry (quarrying) also operates within the shire, with operations ranging from small-scale producers extracting up to 5,000 tonnes per annum to large operations exceeding 100,000 tonnes. These quarries supply construction materials for infrastructure development across Far North Queensland.