The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported on October 8 that a Chinese delegation visited Western Australia's wine region for the first time since the exorbitant tariffs imposed four years ago were lifted.
According to the report, several wineries in Western Australia have resumed exports to China since the tariffs were lifted in April.
Producers hope the visit will lay the groundwork for new trade relationships between Australian wine exporters and Chinese buyers. However, after being subject to a 220% tariff that began in 2020, some wine manufacturers suffered significant losses and were wary of starting a new business with China.
(Image source: Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
Prior to the imposition of tariffs in 2020, the value of China's wine export market to the Australian wine industry was approximately $1.1 billion. However, after the tariffs were announced, the market collapsed almost overnight.
At the time, Steve Hall, the owner of Rockcliffe Winery, was running a wine import company in Shanghai.
He said that although the tariffs have now been lifted, he will be "cautious" about the Chinese export market and take a different approach.
"To put it cynically, you really don't know if history will repeat itself. Of course, I will resume selling to China, but I will not use the old way. ”
(Image source: Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
Richard Burch, co-owner of Howard Park Wines, said China is known for importing all grades of Australian wine, but the trip was designed to promote the top wines produced in Western Australia.
"We're not known for producing a lot of wine compared to some other states, but we're known for making better wine," he said. ”
Wine Lane Trading Company的代表Christian Zhang是来澳参观的11名葡萄酒买手 之一。
Christian Zhang (Credit: Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
Zhang said there is demand for Australian wine in China, but it will take some time for consumer demand to return to pre-pandemic levels.
"I think Australian wine will come back [to China], but maybe not the same as it was three or five years ago. For Chinese consumers, their tastes have also changed – they are increasingly fond of white wine. ”
Plantagenet Wines的所有者、Great Southern Wine Producers Association的主 席Tom Wisdom表示，让买家有足够的时间参观产区至关重要。
Tom Wisdom (Credit: Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
"One of the most important things to do when selling wine is to provide samples and talk about wines, and it's hard to do that when your buyer is far away," he says. ”
"But if they're local, if they're decision-makers, they can taste all the wines and mingle with you. Perhaps it will not be long before we see a significant increase in our export figures. ”
Plantagenet Wines has just shipped its third shipment of wine to China after the tariff was lifted.
The WA Government has provided a total budget of $50,000 for the trade mission, but the final cost of the mission has not yet been determined.