Agreement one of several signed at CIIE in a bid to progress technical market access for Australian avocados into China
From 5 to 10 November, Avocados Australia’s new chair, Matt Kleyn, new deputy chair, Lucia Philip, and CEO, John Tyas attended the China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai alongside a delegation of Australian avocado growers and exporters.
While in China, the industry body signed a purchase agreement with Shanghai Huizhan International Trading for A$300mn as well as several Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with key organisations aiming to assist with advancing Australian avocados’ market access and pave the way for future trade.
The activities further demonstrate Avocados Australia’s commitment to progressing technical market access for Australian avocados into China, however, the Australian and Chinese governments are yet to determine the negotiation process and timeframe.
Shanghai Huizhan International Trading is a multi-qualification import and export trade service platform enterprise invested and managed by Shanghai Huizhan Fruit & Vegetable Wholesale Market. Through the agreement, the market has committed to pre-orders of A$300mn worth of avocados from Australian growers and exporters as soon as access is granted by the General Administration of Customs China. This unprecedented purchase agreement showcases China’s interest in the Australian fruit.
Avocados Australia signed MoUs with JD Super, a prominent e-commerce platform and number one online fresh fruit trader, Joy Wing Mau, the largest fruit importer in China, and the China Chamber of Commerce of Import & Export of Foodstuffs, Native Produce and Animal By-Products (CFNA), China’s fruit import and export association.
At the CIIE, the Australian avocados stand, which was part of the Taste of Queensland pavilion within the Australian pavilion, attracted a lot of attention and Chinese delegates showed great interest in the Australian avocados on display, according to Avocados Australia.
For the event, Avocados Australia partnered with Chinese company More Yoghurt to provide CIIE attendees with avocado smoothies made with fresh Australian avocados that were brought to Shanghai under special protocol conditions. Avocados Australia cooperated with the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), General Administration of Customs China, CIIE Bureau, Austrade, Trade and Investment Queensland, and logistic partners DHL and Cosco, to secure the special protocol that enabled 1 tonne of fresh samples of Australian avocados to be available and served during the expo.
John Tyas, Avocados Australia’s CEO, was delighted with the interest in Australian avocados and said the Australian avocado More Yoghurt smoothies were a hit with delegates, buyers, and the public.
“It is clear that China is very keen to have access to Australian avocados and Australian growers and exporters are very keen to do business – we just need the technical market access,” he said.
The Australian government’s two current market access priorities for China are apples and blueberries. In an Avocados Australia release, the industry body said it hopes negotiations for apples will be successfully concluded soon, but the date is still not known. It also said it hopes that, once apples are approved, avocados are selected to replenish the apples in the 2X2 negotiation, with the new two priorities being set as avocados and blueberries.
“Given the tremendous support and demand for our avocados in China, reflected by the A$300 mn purchase agreement and three strategic MoUs, we would be excited for the Chinese government to have the option to assess our Australian avocado application,” said Tyas.
