AU: Orange exporters urged to attend China trade fair

With citrus exports to China poised to grow rapidly as Australia moves into the Asian Century, orange exporters are being urged to join Citrus Australia at the China World Fruit and Vegetable Trade Fair (China FVF) in November.

Held from 9 to 11 November, the Beijing trade fair will provide Australian citrus growers, packers and exporters the opportunity to meet Chinese buyers, particularly from northern China, and develop direct business.Citrus Australia will attend as part of Horticulture Australia’s (HAL) Australia Fresh pavilion and has reserved a booth to share with interested orange exporters.

Citrus Australia Market Development General Manager Andrew Harty says orange exports to mainland China have “grown phenomenally” from nothing in 2010 to eight 40 foot containers in 2011 and an anticipated 60 plus containers this year.Organised by China’s official quarantine association, the China FVF Fair is a priority for Citrus Australia. “As well as being an opportunity for exporters to get exposure in a sector of the Chinese market that’s underexploited at the moment, it’s also an opportunity for us to get some traction on improving our market access protocol.”

The Chinese market presents a possible solution to the difficulties faced by navel growers, according to Andrew. “We’re in a situation where we have an oversupply of oranges in the middle of our season,” says Andrew. “Developing new markets like China is one of the key ways we can get ourselves out of this dilemma.”The Citrus booth is supported by HAL orange marketing levy funds, and organised by Citrus Australia. The commercial opportunity to co-locate in this booth is open to any orange grower/packer/exporter.

For more information:
Andrew Harty
Citrus Australia
Tel: +61 3 5023 6333
andrew.harty@citrusaustralia.com.au