Southern Rock Lobsters are set to return to the menu in China after the Federal Government announced that a four-year export ban would be lifted before the end of the year.


Late last week Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that exports to China were set to resume before the end of the year, and ahead of Lunar New Year.


The announcement was welcomed by Limestone Coast fishers and the State Government and followed a concentrated effort by the government to continue its work re-engaging and stabilising its relationship with China, the state’s largest trading partnership.


This has included high-level trade missions led by Premier Peter Malinauskas and Trade Minister Joe Szakacs.


South Australia has also seen significant inbound engagement by China, including the historic visit of Premier Li Qiang in June, and in August hosted for the first time the Australia-China High Level Dialogue.


During his visit to South Australia, Premier Li was served local lobster at Penfolds Magill Estate at the request of Premier Malinauskas.


In June a $475,000 State Government seafood package was announced ahead of the expected lifting of trade restrictions.


The Seafood Export Growth Program includes support for SA seafood exporters to attend major international trade events to meet with local buyers, bringing key seafood importers to South Australia for familiarisation visits, a marketing campaign for international audiences including China and Japan and access to trade advisers to assist with export capability building.


Latest ABS stats show South Australian exports to China are at record highs, with $4.27b of local goods sold to China over the past 12 months.


South Australian seafood exports to all markets in the year to August 2024 were valued at $155.5m.