There is growing opportunity for Australian food manufacturers to export their products to China, which is quickly becoming an economic giant eager to buy Australian-made.
With China’s food and beverage sector being worth approximately $125 billion in 2006, a growth of more than 25% from the previous year, Austrade is urging Australian manufacturers to take advantage of increased consumer spending in China.
Wine
Of particular interest is the growth in the volume and value of Australian wines exports to China over the past year.
Austrade’s Shanghai-based senior trade commissioner Christopher Wright said during September this year $53 million of Australian wine was exported to China, a total volume of 21 million litres.
Red wine constituted 95% of the total volume exported.
“In June 2007, China became the number one destination in Asia for Australian bottled wine exports,” Wright said.
“The range of Australian bottled wine available for sale in China and the number and diversity of Australian suppliers seeking Chinese partners and buyers is growing every day,” he said.
Trade shows
Austrade says it is wise for Australian businesses to take part in industry events in China, such as Food Hospitality China 2007 (FHC) that runs from November 14th to 17th in Shanghai.
Nineteen Australian organisations will showcase their Australian wine portfolios at Austrade’s Australian National Pavilion at FHC.
Austrade has been involved in many initiatives throughout 2007 in an effort to increase Australia’s exports of food and beverages to China.
It brought a record number of Chinese buyers to Fine Food Australia held in Sydney in September, commenting that export orders are starting to flow as a result of negotiations at the exhibition.
Austrade has expanded its presence in China and now has 13 offices.
Click here for more information on FHC.