Against the backdrop of deepening bilateral economic and trade cooperation between China and Australia, agricultural trade between the two countries may usher in a new breakthrough. According to foreign media reports, the two sides are engaged in close consultations on market access for a variety of fruits, with significant progress in negotiations on Australian apples and blueberries for export to China, while China has shown strong interest in exporting dates and kiwifruit to Australia. The International Food Exhibition will offer more information about import and export.

Australia's agricultural authorities previously informed local fruit growers that the finalization of the apple export agreement might be delayed from the original schedule. James Wilson, chairman of the Australian Avocado Industry Alliance, stated: "Although the timeline has been adjusted, avocados are likely to become the next priority category, which is exciting news for the industry."  

It is reported that Australian avocado producers initiated plans to enter the Chinese market a decade ago. William Carter, the alliance's director of international operations, emphasized: "Beyond fresh fruit exports, we are more eager to establish comprehensive cooperation with China, covering areas such as cultivation technology exchange, consumer market development, and deeper integration of supply chains."  

The International Food Exhibition notes that the Australian avocado industry has built business connections through continuous participation in the China International Import Expo (CIIE). At the previous expo, it not only reached strategic cooperation intentions with multiple Chinese companies but also signed a framework agreement worth approximately 1.4 billion RMB with Guangzhou Xianfeng Import & Export Group, pending final approval from Chinese regulators before implementation.  

Industry analysis shows that China's growing demand for avocados presents vast opportunities for overseas suppliers. Latest statistics indicate that China's avocado imports exceeded 70,000 tons in 2023, reaching a record high.  

Meanwhile, Australia's red meat industry is leveraging the situation to expand its market share in China. Due to shifts in the international trade environment, U.S. beef exports to China have recently experienced a temporary decline. According to industry data, Australia's beef exports to China surged by 35% year-on-year in the first quarter of this year, exceeding 22,000 tons.  

An operations director at Greenfield, a leading Australian meat exporter, noted: "Under the current global trade dynamics, the competitiveness of some traditional suppliers has weakened, creating broader market opportunities for Australia’s high-quality protein products." Analysts believe that as the benefits of the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement continue to unfold, agricultural trade between the two countries is expected to achieve deeper complementarity.

If you would like to learn more about the food industry, please visit the SIAL China website for more information.

Source: Global Times

If there is infringement, please contact delete.