Summerfruit Australia has announced it looks forward to progressing with export negotiations as Biosecurity Australia's next priority for Chinese market entry.

In a release the entity said several years ago the national horticultural industry and Biosecurity Australia agreed on a priority order of table grape, stone fruit, cherry and apple exports to China.

"The Chinese quarantine authorities agreed to this arrangement, but their order was somewhat different, namely apples, table grapes, stonefruit and cherries - the successful shipment of Australian table grapes to China in April 2011, heralds in the second priority, namely stonefruit," the release said.

"This prospective new market access couldn't come at a better time given the storm and flood damage this past season to stonefruit growing areas including Riverland, Swan Hill, Shepparton and Cobram. Growers really do need some good news.

"There is no doubt the large quantity grown in Australia of white fleshed peaches and nectarines with their high sugars and lower acidity is just what the Chinese consumer wants. After all, white fleshed peaches in particular originated in this part of the world and are widely grown in China."

Summerfruit Australia highlighted the country's supply was counter seasonal for the Chinese market and was useful for key festive events such as the Chinese New Year, the Lantern and Zhonghe festivals in February and the Ching Ming festival in April.

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