South Australian exporters sold $558 million of wine to China in the year to October 2024, with nearly all exports occurring in the second months since punitive tariffs were lifted.

Exports from SA to all markets exceeded $1.7 billion in the period, up 38 per cent from the previous year, per Australian Bureau of Statistics data.

South Australian exports represented two-thirds of the total $2.5 billion of wine exported by Australian producers.

You might like

Business

Australia’s inflation battle risks further rate rises

Business

Live lobsters back on Chinese menus as relations thaw

Trade and Investment Minister Joe Szakacs said the export bounce back since tariffs lifted earlier this year had been “very pleasing”.

“Anticipating the lifting of tariffs, it was important to strike while the iron was hot, and that’s why we invested heavily into our re-engagement package, supporting our exporters to get back into the market as soon as possible,” he said.

“We’re seeing dividends of that, and in just seven months since tariffs were lifted our producers have sold more than half a billion dollars of wine to China.

“We’ll continue to work closely with the Albanese Government and Ministers Farrell and Wong, who have worked tirelessly to stabilise China-Australia relations and provide tangible outcomes for the country’s wine and barley producers.”

For Wirra Wirra CEO Matthew Deller, the removal of tariffs “opened up China as a valuable additional market in our export diversification strategy”.

“It’s an opportunity to re-establish relationships and introduce McLaren Vale’s premium wines to a dynamic and growing audience,” Deller said.

“Chinese consumers are increasingly drawn to authenticity, quality, and sustainability – qualities at the heart of South Australian wine.

“The collaboration between industry and government has been instrumental in ensuring we can seize this opportunity and continue building sustainable growth across global markets.”