Australian Agricultural Bodies Rush for China Market Access

According to a news report by the Global Times, as diplomatic relations between China and Australia stabilize, there exists the potential to further unlock bilateral economic and trade cooperation. Several Australian industry associations have revealed that Australian agricultural companies consider the Chinese market essential and are eager to re-enter it as soon as possible.

However, experts have warned that Australian products have partially lost their market share in China to competitors from other countries. Thus, companies planning to re-enter the Chinese market will face the challenge of rebuilding their presence and customer base. In the second half of this year, representatives from various parts of the Australian agricultural sector, including those responsible for the country’s avocados, blueberries, seafood and wine, visited China, hoping to be the next to secure access to this lucrative market.

At the end of August, John Tyas, CEO of Avocados Australia, along with other representatives from the Australian avocado industry, visited China for market research. The delegates traveled to several locations, including Yunnan, Shenzhen and Shanghai, where they met with key local organizations, importers, wholesalers and retailers to gain a deeper understanding of the market. Last November, Avocados Australia also signed a memorandum of understanding with the China Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Association to ensure comprehensive information sharing, with the aim of advancing efforts to secure market access for Australian avocados.

Japan was once Asia’s largest consumer of avocados, but it has now been surpassed by China. According to data from China’s General Administration of Customs, between 2015 and 2023, the total volume of avocado imports and exports in China surged by 310%, reaching 65,600 metric tons. The trade value also increased by 235% to a total of $106 million. Many countries around the world are now able to export avocados to China, including Peru, Chile, Mexico, the Philippines, Colombia, New Zealand, the United States, Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa.

Since 2013, Avocados Australia has been working toward China market access. The organization is confident that Australian avocados could capture up to 50% of China’s imported avocado market within a few years. Its analysis suggests that entering the Chinese market could more than double the scale of Australian avocado exports, with the export value increasing from less than 100 million Australian dollars to over AU$300 million.

Rachel Mackenzie, executive director of Berries Australia, noted that the association recently appointed a general manager for the Asian market. Since his appointment, the new manager has been visiting China monthly to engage with various Chinese and Australian organizations, with the goal of strengthening relationships and expanding networks across the country.

Image: Pixabay

This article was based on a Chinese article. Read the original article.