Australia strikes Chinese citrus deal

The China Agricultural Wholesale Markets Association (CAWA) yesterday met Citrus Australia representatives in Renmark, South Australia and Mildura, Victoria. The two groups signed a memorandum of understanding, aimed at boosting exports from Australia.

Association chairman Ma Zengjun says Australian citrus growers must capitalise on the growing Chinese market.

"China's a huge market, although we have a large production of navels and oranges, there's still many more consumers that need product from places like the USA and Australia."

The delegation represents over 700 wholesale markets in China, and industry body Citrus Australia says the tour represents a huge opportunity for growers and packers to meet buyers in person.

Mr Ma Zengjun says the Australian industry is working hard to service the Chinese market.

"Australia has already opened the market in four major cities, but we still need to negotiate and loosen the standards in terms of imported fruits. So for that purpose, CAWA is standing up for wholesalers to have more interaction with Australian exports."

One sign of the strong demand in China is CAWA's indication that Australia did not export enough to China last season.

Citrus Australia figures indicate in 2013, exports into China was worth $21 million, and the body expects that figure to double in the coming year, based on the amount of orchards that have registered for export.

Source: abc.net.au