Half a billion dollars’ worth of South Australian wine has been exported to China in just seven months following the removal of import tariffs in April.
This is according to the latest ABS figures.
Trade and Investment Minister Joe Szakacs said South Australian exporters sold $558 million of wine to China in the 12 months to October.
More than 99 percent of those sales occurred in the seven months since Chinese tariffs were lifted.
Wine exports from the state to all markets exceeded $1.7 billion in the year to October, up 38 percent on the previous year.
South Australian sales contributed two-thirds of the $2.5 billion exported by Australian producers.
This includes a more than 30 percent growth of the state’s second-largest wine export market, Hong Kong, now valued at $237 million.
The South Australian Government has facilitated the return of Chinese wine buyers to South Australia this week.
They met with representatives from more than 70 wineries across eight different South Australian wine regions.
Wirra Wirra CEO Matthew Deller MW said, “The removal of tariffs has opened up China as a valuable additional market in our export diversification strategy.
“For Wirra Wirra, it’s an opportunity to re-establish relationships and introduce McLaren Vale’s premium wines to a dynamic and growing audience.
“Chinese consumers are increasingly drawn to authenticity, quality and sustainability – qualities at the heart of South Australian wine.
“The collaboration between industry and government has been instrumental in ensuring we can seize this opportunity and continue building sustainable growth across global markets.”