Australian apples take bigger bite of Chinese market

Australian apple growers are reaping the rewards of increased access to the vast Chinese market, with exporters exceeding expectations and hailing opportunities for further industry growth and partnerships.

In September, growers, industry representatives and other stakeholders marked mainland Australian apples gaining access to the Chinese market in its first year, celebrating the trade milestone.

"Market access for Australian mainland apples to China is the culmination of many years of technical work, persistence and constructive engagement between our governments and industries," Philip Turnbull, chief executive officer of Apple and Pear Australia Limited, the peak industry body representing Australian apple and pear growers, said in a statement.

"This is an exciting new chapter for our industry, and we look forward to building a sustainable, long-term export pathway that delivers value for Australian growers and our partners and customers in China," said Turnbull.

Apples grown on the Australian mainland have been allowed for export to China following a new access protocol signed between the two sides last year.

Previously, apples grown in Australia's southern island state of Tasmania could be exported, but not those from the mainland because of fruit fly concerns.

Elliot Jones, general manager of major Australian fresh food supplier and apple exporter WA Farm Direct, told China Daily that an initial target of up to 1,000 metric tons of apples for export in the first year of the new market access has been "well and truly exceeded".

More than 800 tons of apples have already been exported to China, said Jones, whose group ships the popular Australian apple variety known locally as Bravo and labeled Soluna for the global market.

"Initially we were planning for half that volume. But the early success of the launch of Soluna, and the number of retailers that wanted to range it, resulted in us sending more volume than we initially expected," he said.

Jones added that the apples, first launched in Shanghai, have been progressively rolled out online and offline via major retailers, with shipments set until the end of October.

He said that the strong reception for Australian apples in the Chinese market reflects the segment's importance and potential. Australia produces about 280,000 tons of the fruit annually, mostly for domestic consumption, with only about 1.5 percent of that amount exported each year.

"China is very important for us, a tremendously large market with consumers who view Australia as a country that produces safe and high-quality food and fresh produce particularly," Jones said.

Years of commitment

Julie Bird, chair of the Hort Innovation Australia board, said the milestone reflected years of commitment and collaboration across industry and government.

"The opening of the Chinese market for mainland Australian apples represents a significant achievement for Australia and provides an opportunity to continue building awareness of Australian apples with customers across China," said Bird, whose nonprofit, grower-owned group supports innovation, research and development in Australia's $13.1 billion horticulture sector.

"Milestones such as this are important steps in supporting the sector's longer-term export growth ambitions, helping to diversify markets and create new opportunities for Australian growers," she said.

To that effect, Jones from WA Farm Direct said the sector is building on cross-border cooperation, including the cultivation of Australian apple varieties in China.

"We have already sent some of our trees to China, which are in a nursery there to work through the process of preparing them for a future to plant in China," he said.

"Our ultimate ambition is to grow Soluna in China for the Northern Hemisphere season and then supply from Australia for the Southern Hemisphere season."