On April 1 the fifth round of tariff cuts between Japan and Australia came into play. This time cuts for oranges, mandarins, onions, honey and beef were implemented under the Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement (JAEPA).
Japan is Australia’s second largest agricultural export market, valued at approximately US$4.2bn in 2017.
The newest round of tariff cuts for fresh produce are as follows:
- Oranges: 16 per cent pre-JAEPA tariff, now 8.7 per cent (1 June to 30 September). Exports up 14 per cent year on year to $54.2 million in 2017
- Mandarins: 17 per cent pre-JAEPA tariff, now 11.7 per cent. Exports up 66 per cent year on year to $8 million in 2017
- Onions: 8.5 per cent tariff pre JAEPA tariff, now 1.4 per cent. Exports up 44 per cent year on year to $4 million in 2017
The JAEPA was entered into on 15 January 2015, and will continue annually on April 1, encouraging the flow of export trade from Australia.
“To enable more exporters to take full advantage of JAEPA, the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources is delivering new technical market access to improve trade for a range of commodities,” said Australian department of Agriculture and Water Resources minister, David Littleproud.
“We are working on regaining access for blueberries from the mainland together with improving market access for other horticulture commodities including mangoes.”
The recently signed Comprehensive and Progressive Trans Pacific Partnership will aim to foster deals and outcomes similar to the JAEPA, increasing Australia’s agriculture economy.
