- Cook Labor Government funding to accelerate WA wine exports to China
- An additional $500,000 package to promote WA wines and re-enter the market
- Funding builds on $6 million joint investment in WA's Wine Industry Export Growth Partnership
Cook Labor Government funding will flow to the Western Australian wine industry to help re-establish trade with the Chinese market, following the recent removal of wine import tariffs.
Premier Roger Cook and Regional Development Minister Don Punch today announced a $500,000 package to support the State's world-renowned wineries.
The investment will fund trade marketing in China and will help meet the costs of re-engaging with Chinese retailers and distributors, including costs for bottling, packaging, and shipping.
In addition, the funding will support activities which promote the State's premium wines in the Chinese market, such as hosting Chinese trade delegations and participating in the region's premier wine and spirits trade exhibitions - Vinexpo Asia in Hong Kong in May 2024 and ProWine in Shanghai in November 2024.
The Premier will also lead an industry roundtable today to discuss the industry's goals and strategies to rebuild key relationships and trading channels with China.
The State Government continues to work closely with Wines of WA, through the Wine Industry Export Growth Partnership, to maximise domestic and international markets for WA wine.
This partnership has seen the State Government match industry investment, with each contributing $3 million over four years to the industry-led growth model.
Prior to the introduction of tariffs, China was WA's largest overseas wine market with 2.1million litres of wine exports to China in 2019-20, valued at $18.3 million and representing 38per cent of the State's wine exports.
As stated by Premier Roger Cook:
"WA wine is some of the best in the world, and our products were renowned in the Chinese market prior to the introduction of tariffs.
"Supporting our premium wineries to re-enter the Chinese market is key to encouraging diversification, benefitting the WA economy in the long term.
"We will continue listening to industry to better understand the challenges and opportunities to help grow this important contributor to the State's economy and the regions."
As stated by Regional Development Minister Don Punch:
"This important funding will continue to assist the WA wine industry to respond to the significant changes to China's wine market over the past four years.
"It will build on good work of the Wine Industry Export Growth Partnership, with Wines of WA to cultivate pathways to future opportunities for local businesses, wine regions, and the broader wine industry.
"The WA wine industry is an important job-creator for the State, particularly in our regions, with more than 6000 people directly employed across WA."
