State Trade Minister Joe Szakacs will lead a delegation of representatives from 36 wineries heading to Asia’s largest wine show later this month, as the state’s exporters aim to recapture some of what was once a more than $900m market.
The State Government will support the local wineries participating in VinExpo as they re-engage with China following trade barriers lifting in March.
Nineteen producers will also travel to Shenzhen in mainland China and have an opportunity to develop important relationships with buyers.
The visit will be the first opportunity for SA wine representatives to meet Chinese buyers since tariffs lifted, with each winery’s attendance at VinExpo and the trade program in Shenzhen subsidised by the State Government’s nearly $2m China re-engagement support package.
Mr Szakacs said some wineries were projecting export growth of up to 60% by the end of 2025 following China’s re-emergence.
“The China wine export market was valued at $946.5m per year at their peak and accounted for nearly half of the state’s wine exports before crushing tariffs were introduced in late 2020,” he said.
This will be the first trade delegation to Hong Kong by any Australian Minister since before the pandemic, further demonstrating the Malinauskas Government’s commitment to supporting the wine industry’s re-engagement with China.
“Exports to China across all categories have grown by 39% over the 12 months to March,” Mr Szakacs said.
“In that same period, SA was the only state in the country to see its global exports grow in that time – up 3% to $17.7b, compared with a national decline of 10%.
“With Chinese tariffs lifting in March, VinExpo is a timely opportunity for our world-class wineries. It’s so important that we’re there, getting in front of overseas buyers.
“While the recent decision by China to remove trade barriers on Australian wine is excellent news, it’s also important to diversify.
We have seen wine export increases of 73% with Hong Kong over the past year, so now really is the perfect time for SA wineries considering exports to explore China, Vietnam and other Asia-Pacific countries.”
VinExpo will take place in Hong Kong from May 28-30, with 10,000 trade visitors set to attend, consisting of importers, buyers, distributors, producers, sommeliers and merchants.
