China has been a major buyer of table-grapes grown in Australia. Most of the grape varieties in Australia have traditionally been introduced from the USA or Europe and are all quite similar. At the same time, as China is opening its doors, a growing number of countries have obtained permission to export grapes to the Chinese market. That is why Australian grape export to China has declined in the last few years. Chinese consumers are slowly losing their interest in Australian grapes.
"We were the first Australian grape grower and trader to obtain planting permission from AATI Holdings Pty Ltd (hereafter "AATI"). Our vineyards in Victoria grow seven patented grape varieties. These varieties have successfully been introduced from Japan by AATI, and they hold the exclusive rights in Australia to produce these seven grape varieties.
"The patents include five red grape varieties (Violet King, Wagamichi, Kotopi, My Heat, Queen Muscat), and two green grape varieties (Yuhou, Appare). In all these varieties at least 50% of the genetic makeup came from Japanese grape varieties. The combination with Japanese grape varieties produced new hybrid varieties that are even more flavorful and larger in size. All these varieties have been through the strict Australian inspection and quarantine process before they were successfully planted in Australian plant nurseries." This is according to David from Royal Grapes Pty Ltd.
Vineyard
Information provided by the patent-holder AATI shows that among these seven varieties the earliest red grape variety to enter the market does so in late January. The two green grape varieties enter the market in late February. AATI first made sure the grape varieties were suited for the Australian weather conditions, and in 2022 the company will begin to provide other Australian farmers with authorization for plantation. This will expand the overall surface area devoted to the plantation of these seven varieties to commercial levels. But Royal Grapes Pty Ltd, the first to receive authorization, plans to already begin exporting the first small supply volumes of these seven grape varieties to the Asian market. The supply period is expected to last from late January next year until April.
Royal Grapes Pty Ltd reserved 30 hectares for the plantation of these seven grape varieties. As for the intended retail markets, David said: "We currently aim for China, Vietnam, Thailand, Korea, Singapore, and Malaysia. We select the product quality and packaging method on the basis of specific requirements in each market. That is how we guarantee to satisfy the unique requirements of every group of customers. In China we integrate online and offline sales to reach the widest possible audience, but for the moment we primarily target first-tier cities where consumer power is relatively strong."
For more information:
David
Royal Grapes Pty Ltd
Tel.: +61 478 801 848
E-mail: royalfresh1974@gmail.com