AUSTRALIA and China have agreed to new market access protocols for peaches, plums and apricots and improved access for Australian cherries, table grapes and citrus.
Federal Member for Leichhardt, Warren Entsch today welcomed the announcement and said it would provide significant benefits for horticulture producers and growers in the region.
“Horticulture is important for our region and these new and improved protocols will support valuable export opportunities for our summer fruit producers and exporters,” Mr Entsch said.
“It will provide new and better market access for a range of valuable and important commodities and will complement access already achieved for Australian nectarines.
“The new protocols provide market access for the first time for Australian peaches, plums and apricots, meaning these products will soon be available in Chinese supermarkets and greengrocers,” Mr Entsch said.
“The agreements will also provide better access for Australian cherries, citrus and table grapes, which is great news for these valuable industries.
“This will provide a range of benefits for farmers and producers in our region, as well as our community and economy.”
Exports of cherries, citrus and table grapes to China were worth over $230 million in 2016-17. The improvements in the protocols for these products will allow Australian producers and exporters to export more fruit to China in the upcoming season.
The revised conditions for cherries, citrus and table grapes include recognition of Australia’s fruit fly pest-free areas, as well as improved and more commercially-viable pre-export treatments.
