Latest news with #JeremyGriffith
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Apple farmers' win against supermarket giants
Apple growers across Australia will now be able to export the fruit to China's 1.3 billion population, in a move which will allow growers to be less reliant on supermarket giants. Previously China would only take apples from Tasmanian growers due to biosecurity concerns over fruit flies. However, the finalised deal, which was confirmed in April but officially signed during Anthony Albanese's trip to China, will allow mainland farmers to now also access the market. Apples and Pear Australia Ltd industry head Jeremy Griffith said the deal would give Aussie apple growers an 'extraordinary' opportunity,' with exports set to target a premium market. 'Horticultural sectors are very reliant on Coles and Woolies so any opportunity for the price not be dictated by Coles and Woolies is very important for growers,' he told NewsWire. Mr Griffith said increasing Australia's apple presence in China was a 'long-term' plan, and while some farmers will be ready to export following a February harvest, most will need to finetune the variety and qualities of the fruit. It's expected 'very red and very sweet' varieties such as Australian Pink Lady and Bravo apples will be well-received, in addition to Fuji apples. 'There can be lots of opportunities if you hit that a niche market but it's a very competitive global market,' he said. 'It's a very long term opportunity and we need to get this absolutely right.' Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said the deal was a 'significant milestone' for the $680m industry and the Australia-Chinese trading relationship. 'The Chinese market offers strong export growth potential for Australian producers with a large consumer base and premium price points for high-quality branded products,' she said. 'This outcome will support our agricultural industry to grow toward a $100bn sector, and the Australian horticultural sector to meet its target of $20bn by 2030.' However the Coalition has raised concerns as to why Mr Albanese was not able to cinch a similar deal for Aussie blueberry farmers. Coalition trade spokesman Kevin Hogan, who has been doggedly pushing for an outcome, criticised the slow process and said Thursday's news was a 'reannouncement' from April. 'The fact they're re-announcing apples is non-consequential because they announced that two months ago, so we were hoping that blueberries would get approved,' he said. 'Blueberries were formally placed on the government's priority list for market access years ago, with agreement from the Chinese government as part of negotiations to progress priority fruits from each country. 'Despite this, they remain locked out of the Chinese market.' However Labor says it has already removed trade barriers on lobster, wine, red meat and copper ores, totalling to $20bn of trade. Sign in to access your portfolio
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Aussie apple farmers win against supermarket giants after China trade expanded
Apple growers across Australia will now be able to export the fruit to China's 1.3 billion population, in a move which will allow growers to be less reliant on supermarket giants. Previously China would only take apples from Tasmanian growers due to biosecurity concerns over fruit flies. However, the finalised deal, which was confirmed in April but officially signed during Anthony Albanese's trip to China, will allow mainland farmers to now also access the market. Apples and Pear Australia Ltd industry head Jeremy Griffith said the deal would give Aussie apple growers an 'extraordinary' opportunity,' with exports set to target a premium market. 'Horticultural sectors are very reliant on Coles and Woolies so any opportunity for the price not be dictated by Coles and Woolies is very important for growers,' he told NewsWire. Mr Griffith said increasing Australia's apple presence in China was a 'long-term' plan, and while some farmers will be ready to export following a February harvest, most will need to finetune the variety and qualities of the fruit. It's expected 'very red and very sweet' varieties such as Australian Pink Lady and Bravo apples will be well-received, in addition to Fuji apples. 'There can be lots of opportunities if you hit that a niche market but it's a very competitive global market,' he said. 'It's a very long term opportunity and we need to get this absolutely right.' Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said the deal was a 'significant milestone' for the $680m industry and the Australia-Chinese trading relationship. 'The Chinese market offers strong export growth potential for Australian producers with a large consumer base and premium price points for high-quality branded products,' she said. 'This outcome will support our agricultural industry to grow toward a $100bn sector, and the Australian horticultural sector to meet its target of $20bn by 2030.' However the Coalition has raised concerns as to why Mr Albanese was not able to cinch a similar deal for Aussie blueberry farmers. Coalition trade spokesman Kevin Hogan, who has been doggedly pushing for an outcome, criticised the slow process and said Thursday's news was a 'reannouncement' from April. 'The fact they're re-announcing apples is non-consequential because they announced that two months ago, so we were hoping that blueberries would get approved,' he said. 'Blueberries were formally placed on the government's priority list for market access years ago, with agreement from the Chinese government as part of negotiations to progress priority fruits from each country. 'Despite this, they remain locked out of the Chinese market.' However Labor says it has already removed trade barriers on lobster, wine, red meat and copper ores, totalling to $20bn of trade.
ABC News
28-04-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Apples grown on Australian mainland to be exported to China for first time
As The decision is being celebrated by growers hoping to cash in on a market already worth hundreds of millions of dollars to Australian horticulture. "It's a great, great outcome," Apple and Pear Australia head of government relations Jeremy Griffith said. "Our growers will now have access to the huge China market." Tasmanian apples have had access to the Chinese market since 2010, but apples from mainland Australia have missed out until now. That was due to so-called technical trade barriers, which require biosecurity protocols to be in place to allow the export of fresh produce that could carry pests and diseases from one country to another. Tasmania is free of fruit fly, but the mainland is not, and Australia was waiting on China to approve protocols relating to the control of fruit fly. Orchards exporting apples to China will need to be registered. ( ABC Rural: Sophie Johnson ) Mr Griffith said the deal, which had taken years to negotiate, had now been done. "That's all been agreed to between our government and the Chinese government," he said. "Orchards need to be registered, there needs to be cold treatment [of fruit], so hopefully everything will be ready to go for the 2026 harvest." A Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry spokesperson confirmed the government had secured technical market access protocols for mainland apples to be sent to China. "This will be beneficial to Australian apple farmers looking to enter new trade markets," the spokesperson said. " We will continue to work with our apple industry to support their ability to meet the protocol requirements. " The announcement comes after 10 Australian abattoirs were this week given the ability to export Market access worth millions According to the Australian Fresh Produce Alliance (AFPA), which represents a large network of the horticulture industry, China bought $380 million worth of Australian fruit and vegetables in 2024 alone. AFPA chief executive Claire McClelland said it was yet another opportunity for Australian agriculture to improve its relationship with one of its biggest buyers. "Securing access to China for Australian apples is a significant achievement for the sector and provides an important new opportunity for growers," she said. "This announcement highlights the value of stable, two-way trade with China and the importance of continuing to strengthen that relationship for the benefit of both countries." Ninety per cent of Australian apples are grown on the mainland. ( ABC News: Tim Lee ) Stability for struggling growers Ninety per cent of Australian apples are grown on the mainland, and the industry has lacked lucrative export markets for decades. Mr Griffith said that had left growers at the mercy of supermarkets. "Australian growers are very reliant on the domestic market, which is 66 per cent controlled by Coles and Woolworths, so we've been very much exposed to two buyers," he said. "There has been a lot of pressure on Australian growers with increasing costs and that inability to pass those costs on to supermarkets because of their buying power. " The opportunity to find an alternative market is a huge opportunity for the industry. " The Coalition has been contacted for comment. ABC Rural RoundUp newsletter Stories from farms and country towns across Australia, delivered each Friday. Your information is being handled in accordance with the Email address Subscribe
