China has agreed to amend its import conditions for Australian citrus at a time when citrus exports to China are increasing, industry body Citrus Australia reveals.
The move comes after many years of work by Citrus Australia, in collaboration with the Australian government and Horticulture Innovation Australia, to bring about Chinese market access improvements, Citrus Australia said in a press release.
Commenting on the latest development, Citrus Australia CEO Judith Damiani said: “While the conditions initially granted in 2006 were a little challenging, the industry has made the best of those conditions and it has been a remarkable effort to see the trade get to where it is. The new conditions will certainly be a boost to our export programme to China.”
The new conditions include improvements to the cold disinfestation temperature, recognition of South Australia’s Riverland as free from fruit flies, as well as some important changes to cultural practices for certain pests, Citrus Australia said.
The will mean that there will be more fruit available for China, fruit will arrive with even better out-turn quality, and there will be improvements to the cost of supply.
“Together with the reducing tariffs under the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement, this will mean better returns for our growers,' Damiani continued.
'This year we have seen remarkable trade figures into China with 65,000 tonnes exported up until the end of September to a value of A$133m. With data for a few more months still outstanding, it is possible that trade volumes to China could reach 85,000 tonnes this year - a record!'
Citrus Australia Ltd is the national peak body for citrus growers. Citrus Australia represents the industry in policy and advocacy, biosecurity, market access, development and promotion, research, and communications. The citrus industry in Australia is worth A$580 million and represents the interests of around 1,500 citrus growers. It is Australia's largest fresh fruit exporter, with annual export earnings of around A$330 million.
