Stone fruit growers are expected to benefit from changes to export market protocols for produce sent to China. From January 1, 2018 there will be a tariff reduction for the export of peaches, plums, apricots and cherries from 10 per cent down to 2 per cent, which is great news for the local stone fruit industry, which has struggled with oversupply in previous years.
Southern Forests Food Council executive chairman Bevan Eatts said the announcement was “Welcome news. Expanding growers’ market options is always beneficial and could be especially helpful when domestic markets flood and exports were available to ease oversupply.
In an article in the West Australian, Mr Eatts emphasized the positive aspects of opening up a market like China -with more than one billion people-, as it will provide growers access to niche markets that demanded quality produce.
Tariffs on all horticulture exports to China are expected to eliminated by January 1, 2023.
