Trade boost for horticulture in Wide Bay
16/11/2017
Trade boost for horticulture in Wide Bay
Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien has welcomed a new agreement between Australia and China for market access for fruits including citrus and grapes.
The agreement allows new market access protocols for peaches, plums and apricots and improved access for Australian cherries, table grapes and citrus.
Mr O’Brien said the amendments would provide significant benefits for horticulture producers and growers in the region.
“Horticulture, and particularly citrus, is important for our region so these improved protocols will support valuable export opportunities for our Wide Bay producers and exporters,” Mr O’Brien said.
“The agreement provides new and better market access for Wide Bay growers, and will complement access already achieved for Australian nectarines. It is great news for the region’s valuable horticulture industry, 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.
