The first Australian direct table grape shipments to China could be leave as early as November, if a new export protocol is signed next week in Shanghai.
Last week Biosecurity Australia (BA) received a draft protocol for market access to China, and Australian Table Grape Association (ATGA) chief Jeff Scott said his organisation had been working with BA on the document since 2002.
'We've been working closely with BA and China's biosecurity authorities to ensure they have a complete understanding of table grape production practices and of the quarantine protection measures that our growers adhere to,' Mr Scott told Fruitnet.com.
'The protocol involves cold treatment for fruit fly and Mediterranean fruit fly, along with a systems-based approach for all other pests and diseases,' he continued.
In 2009, Australian grape shipments to Hong Kong were worth around US$55m, and direct shipments to the Chinese mainland could see that amount increase sharply.
An Australian delegation is attending the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai next week, and Mr Scott said time had been allotted on the schedule for a signing ceremony, subject to all the boxes being ticked.
'It's a workable protocol, and the ATGA were never going to sign off on one that was not commercially viable,' Mr Scott said.
'It's fantastic news for the grape industry, but it's also great news for Australian horticulture as a whole.'
Meanwhile, a delegation of Chinese buyers have toured fruit-growing regions in the Australian state of Victoria to visit with growers and marketers.
One of the key aims of the trip, which was organised by Victoria's Department of Primary Industries, was to build relationships in anticipation of Australia being granted direct access for its table grapes.
