- First Chinese wine trade mission to Western Australia since the lifting of wine tariffs
- Trade mission set to promote the Great Southern and South West regions' premium food, wine, and tourism industries, while forging new international partnerships
- Initiative follows Cook Government's funding boost to WA Wine Industry Export Growth Partnership
Regional Development Minister Don Punch has welcomed the first inbound Chinese wine trade mission to Western Australia since the lifting of wine tariffs earlier this year, with delegates set to tour the Great Southern and Margaret River wine regions this week.
This trade mission follows the Cook Government's funding boost to the WA Wine Industry Export Growth Partnership and marks a pivotal moment for the Australian wine industry, which has faced significant challenges in recent years.
Western Australia will host 11 premium wine buyers from 10 Chinese companies from 29 September to 6 October 2024, with a focus on premium wines, and specific interest in wines of WA provenance.
Minister Punch welcomed delegates at a curated dinner last night with paired wines at Denmark's Pepper + Salt, acknowledging the significance of the Chinese market, formerly Australia's largest wine export market, and the quality of WA wines.
The initiative is a collaboration between the Great Southern Development Commission, South West Development Commission and industry partners from Wines of Western Australia, Great Southern Wine Producers Association and Margaret River Wine Association.
The delegation tour will also feature curated producer tastings, regional masterclasses, trade showcase events, and exploration of the unique landscapes of the Great Southern and Margaret River regions.
As stated by Regional Development Minister Don Punch:
"It's fantastic to be here in the Great Southern, which produces world-class wines historically sought after by the Chinese market.
"Re-entering this market could be a challenging prospect for producers, so providing the opportunity to directly connect producers with this market once again, is a valuable endeavour.
"This trade mission marks the beginning of this re-entry and is expected to reignite trade relationships and subsequent exports for Great Southern and Margaret River premium wine producers."
