Wine makers, grape growers and exporters will be invited to participate in a series of workshops in preparation of the outcomes of the review of wine tariffs imposed on the South Australian industry by China.
As part of the Malinauskas Labor Government's re-engagement strategy, close to 200 businesses from South Australia's wine sector will gain deep insights into the China market at workshops held in the Barossa, Adelaide Hills, Coonawarra and Riverland, from 29 January to 1 February.
Delivered by a team of experts, the workshops will provide the latest updates on the lucrative China market across topics including economics, wine market conditions, market access and entry, legal considerations and cultural awareness.
The workshops are facilitated by the Department for Trade and Investment in partnership with the South Australian Wine Industry Association (SAWIA) and the Department of Primary Industries and Regions, South Australia (PIRSA).
Minister for Trade and Investment Nick Champion will be attending the workshop in the Barossa today, to hear first-hand from our wine producers how the Government can help reposition South Australia as a market leader in China.
Advocacy for the removal of restrictions on wine continues, with a review of wine tariffs by China currently underway.
The recent visit to China by Premier Peter Malinauskas attracted strong interest from Chinese importers and industry to re-engage directly with South Australian wine exporters once there is a resolution to the restrictions in place.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met with President Xi Jinping on his trip to China. Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong and Federal Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrell have also been busy advocating for Australian producers on trips to Beijing.
Significant progress has been made at both state and federal levels to stabilise the relationship with China, who have already removed trade impediments on a range of Australian products since May last year, including coal, cotton, timber, barley, and oaten hay.
The workshops follow a tailored industry briefing delivered by the Department for Trade and Investment and Showcase SA in October last year, where the state's wine sector heard first-hand from the sector representatives who participated in the Premier's China visit.
Wine exports to China
In October 2020, at its peak and one month prior to the start of tariffs, China was South Australia's largest wine export market, with exports valued at $946.5 million, accounting for 47.2 per cent of South Australia's wine exports globally.
For the year ending November 2023, wine export to China was valued at $2.7 million with volume at 752.5 thousand litres.
China Market Insights Workshop
Registrations are open for the China Market Insights Workshops, offered exclusively to South Australian grape and wine businesses.
connectplus.sa.gov.au/business_missions/china-market-insights-2024
Dates and locations:
- Monday 29 January 2024, Coonawarra Hall, Coonawarra, 10.30am–1.30pm
- Tuesday 30 January 2024, The Barossa Cellar, Vine Vale 9am–12pm
- Wednesday 31 January 2024, Hotel Renmark, Renmark, 9.30am–12.30pm
- Thursday 1 February 2024, Adelaide Hills Convention Centre, Hahndorf, 9.30am–12.30pm
As put by Nick Champion
The series of workshops for the wine and grape industry will provide important insights into the current market conditions with China, our largest export market.
We are confident there will soon be greater opportunities for our world class wine producers to re-engage with the Chinese market and the Malinauskas Labor Government is focussed on how we can help our local industry prepare to maximise these chances.
We commend the efforts of the Federal Government for their advocacy and we know that South Australian wine remains highly regarded by Chinese consumers who value quality, premium products.
The South Australian Government will continue to collaborate with its industry partners to deliver initiatives that support re-engagement, build capability and re-position our wine state as a market leader in China.
As put by Minister Clare Scriven
South Australians are rightly proud of our world-class wineries and grape producers, and we are hopeful of a strategic re-entry into the China market.
I am pleased that the State Government has worked with SAWIA to develop a series of workshops for the wine industry right across the state.
These China Market Insight Workshops will cover topics including market conditions, change in consumers' preferences since the COVID pandemic, China wine industry preferences and distribution channels, and cultural awareness and many others.
As put by Inca Lee, Chief Executive, South Australian Wine Industry Association
South Australian wine has made a deep impression on the Chinese consumer who value quality products, and we know this sentiment has not been diminished by the pause in our trading relationship.
Whilst we await the process currently underway by China to review tariffs imposed on Australian wine, it is important for our industry to maintain its knowledge of the China wine market.
These workshops will provide a valuable opportunity to share the latest information to strengthen the position of South Australian growers, winemakers and wine exporters now and into the future.
