Riverland citrus producer Nippy’s Waikerie Producers has partnered with Shenzhen-based importer Gold Anda to build its Australia citrus exports to China.
The exclusive partnership will see Gold Anda handle all of Nippy’s branded fresh oranges and juice lines in China.
“We’ve traded with Gold Anda for the past two years, and there seems to be a mutual benefit in this partnership,” explained Nippy’s MD Jeff Knispel. “[Gold Anda] performs extremely well in the market, and we’re also looking to grow our volume to China.
“For them, it’s beneficial as there’s good demand for Australian fruit in China, and as we build our volume, there will be opportunities to promote our fruit over there.'
Nippy’s began exporting fresh navel and Valencia oranges to China two years ago, last season shipping 60 containers. In the coming season, Knispel said volumes could reach as high as 100 containers.
“I’m cautiously optimistic about the market in China,” Knispel told Fruitnet. “There appears to be a boom for Australian fruit in the market, and as long of there’s no bans, or embargos, or changes in government policy, I see good growth for Australian citrus in the next five to ten years.
“Australia is not in a position to grow enough citrus to cause an oversupply, and as a Southern Hemisphere supplier we have a natural control over the market. While we compete with South African citrus, the season’s don’t quite line up, so for natural reasons we should have the market to ourselves.'
Japan remains Nippy’s biggest export market, but China now accounts for around 20 per cent of its total exports, up from zero two years ago.
