Apple and Pear Australia Limited’s (APAL) chairman, John Lawrenson, has encouraged Tasmanian apple growers and exporters to make use of their privileged access to China, or risk losing the Asian market for good.
The island state is the only Australian growing region China allows apple imports from. While Lawrenson said Tasmania was poised with solid volumes and a high quality crop this season, he was concerned that if it continued to be an inactive player in China it could hinder the Australian mainland’s bid to secure its own direct access.
With the Australian dollar weakening, Lawrenson said it was an opportune time to ramp-up export programmes.
“China is a vast market. There are some significant niches we can develop,” Lawrenson told the Australian Broadcasting Commission.“It is important that we do get some fruit into China. We've got access there, we've fought hard for that access, and virtually no fruit has moved from Tasmania. We're concerned that it's use it or lose it situation.”
APAL’s export development manager Claire Fitchett believes the Chinese market is ripe for Australian picking.
“Like many horticulture industries, we see great potential in China,” Fitchett told Asiafruit. “Chinese importers are showing keen interest in Tasmanian product so we are getting all the right signals – mainland Australian apples and pears will be in hot demand in China as soon as we have market access.”
