Australian horticulture producers and exporters have received a boost with new agreements that will deliver practical and commercially viable export opportunities for our summerfruit.
The implementation of the China–Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA) means that from 1 January 2018, most Australian summerfruit will face a tariff of only 2 per cent in China, down from 10 per cent prior to entry into force of ChAFTA. The tariff on all horticulture (except citrus) exports to China will be eliminated by 1 January 2019 and the tariff on citrus exports to China will be eliminated by 1 January 2023.Â
The revised conditions for cherries, citrus and table grapes include recognition of Australia’s fruit fly pest-free areas, as well as improved pre-export treatment. The changes to fumigation requirements mean cherries from mainland Australia can potentially be on Chinese supermarket shelves within 48 to 72 hours of harvest. Previously, only Tasmanian cherries were able to be airfreighted due to fruit-fly concerns, while fruit from other states was required to undergo a fumigation process before being shipped by sea, which took about 21 days.
China is one of Australia’s most important trading partners and this is welcome news for our $9 billion horticulture industry as a whole. Asian market destinations, such as China, Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan receive the majority of Australian fruit exports. Emerging and potential export markets include the United States and the Middle East.
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Exports of cherries, citrus and table grapes to China were worth over $230 million in 2016-17.
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Australia’s agricultural exports to China were worth over A$10 billion in 2016.
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Australian horticulture exports to China were worth over $200 million in 2016.
Back in 2006, Australia and China agreed to consider each other’s top four horticulture market access requests concurrently through a ‘four and four’ agreement. Australia and China are now transitioning to a new ‘two and two’ agreement that includes Australian mainland apples and blueberries as future market access priorities.
