The Australia-China FTA (ChAFTA) would be a great thing for Australia’s wholesale fruit and vegetable exporters, but scaremongering over perceived threat to Australian jobs and politics has put a lot of would be supporters off side, according to Harvey Power, Principal of Summer Harvest, a fresh produce export business. “It’s no secret that Australia is in a deep hole, including for export activity, but there is great potential there,” says Mr Power. “To make it happen – all sectors of Australia including Governments, Business and Industry needs to work as one rather than present a fractured impression to China!”
The delays are nothing new for those in the industry, and Mr Power is still optimistic that a signed deal would be beneficial for Australian trade. “I was involved in writing the protocols for the trade of mangoes between Australia and China 20 years ago, and here we are today and the agreement is only now starting to happen,” he says. “I’m reluctant to comment on the actual agreement until it is finalized but of course trade between the two nations would benefit.”
Australia produces more than it can consume, Mr Power says, so needs open markets that are willing and can take substantial quantities of fresh produce, so the industry can survive and thrive. “China presents a great opportunity, through the recently signed FTA, to do just that.”
Citrus export inquiries up ‘significantly’
Despite political hiccups, Mr Power says that his export business has had a number of inquiries from traders interested in getting Australian citrus and other fresh produce, including Grapes & Mangoes, into China. “There’s been a significant increase, off the back of the FTA, in inquiries for mandarins, oranges, grapefruit and lemons,” he adds. “We don’t have the pollution that they have in Asia, and we really are valued as the ‘clean and green’ producers of the world.”
Trade delegations have been busy this week promoting Australia’s clean, green produce at Asia Fruit Logistica. Those that have been visiting China have also commented that Tasmanian produce in particular is highly valued, and selling well online in China. "If you look out on the streets, everywhere you'll see these delivery drivers on bikes full of parcels of skincare products, beauty products, food, beverages, that are being delivered to people's homes every day,” Austrade Trade Commissioner for food and beverage in e-commerce told media. “That's a great opportunity, we think, for Tasmanian companies to harness the energy that comes with e-commerce in China."
For more information
Harvey Power, Principal for Exports
Summer Harvest
Phone: 61 (07) 3278 4704
Website: www.summerharvest.com.au