"We gained access to Korea and Japan for the first time and our exports reached 80,000 tonnes, this is best ever export year for Australian grapes. We have been increasing production through replanting with a lot going towards Crimson and we will continue to export increasing volumes in the coming years," explains Scott.
Australian grapes have access to almost every market in the world, and export particularly to the Asian countries. The newly signed FTAs with Japan and Korea will be ratified in time for next season and the tariffs will drop quite a bit, this all help to increase exports.
Scott said that the Chinese love the crimson in-particular but the Japanese and Korean markets like the Thompsons as well as Crimsons, "The Asia market just loves the sweetness of Australian grapes, compared to other counties our grapes are very sweet."
Scott commented that the Russian ban on Australian fresh produce would not affect grape export very much, "At the time of the ban we had three containers on the water, this is not a big market for us."
The Australian grape season will start late December and run until June and a big season is expected.