Raise a glass for wine trade success in China

Wine exports to China get back on track with export figures returning to levels not seen since the peak of the trade in 2019.

On 29 March 2024 duties on the bottled wine trade to China were removed, making world-class Australian wine available again to the huge Chinese market.

The removal of duties has led the industry to achieve the fourth highest monthly figure for bottled wine exports to China since 2019.

In total more than 9.8 million litres of bottled wine was exported to China during May, which was valued at $142.2 million.

The majority of that total was exported from South Australia which sent nearly 7.4 million litres worth $125 million.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Murray Watt said May has been incredibly successful for Australian wine exporters

“We know the past few years have been incredibly tough for Australia’s wine sector,” Minister Watt said.

“So to see these figures come through is just fantastic news for the whole industry.

“This demonstrates the importance of the Albanese Government’s work to stabilise our relationship with China.

“That work is now delivering real dividends to Australian farmers and the whole ag industry.”

The latest figures are almost $50 million higher than the average monthly export value in 2019, prior to COVID.

The total value of wine exports to China in the two months since trade resumed is $228 million – which is almost 4 times the value of wine exports to China in 2021, 2022 and 2023 combined.

“This huge increase in value and volume is a fantastic news for our many gifted winemakers,” Minister Watt said.

“The successful return of our wine to this huge and influential part of the world will help mitigate some of those challenges and provide joy for the many consumers who enjoy our excellent wine.”