Apple and Pear Australia Ltd (APAL) has praised the Deputy PM Barnaby Joyce's announcement of a 'two and two’ agreement with China to prioritize export access for Australian mainland apples, followed by blueberries.

The agreement succeeds the earlier four and four agreement struck in 2006 under which Australia sought access for table grapes, cherries, summerfruit and apples.

Mainland apples will transition to the new agreement and will be discussed alongside China’s bid to seek Australia market access for cherries. 

APAL highlighted Tasmanian Tiger Fuji apples were already being exported successfully to the Chinese market.

APAL CEO Phil Turnbull  said Australian growers had been waiting patiently since their inclusion in the original agreement in 2006 and were keen to start working with Chinese authorities to bring Australian apples to Chinese consumers

“While every industry wants their fruit to be first in line, we respect the process in place and have waited for our turn. We are pleased to see our position as next in line confirmed,” Turnbull said.

“Export is a key priority for the apple and pear industry. Tasmanian growers are already exporting apples into China and mainland exporters are looking forward to developing protocols to enable them to do so as well," he said.

“Australia growers are among the world’s best, producing top quality apples in clean, green surroundings with rigorous attention to food standards. Chinese companies are buying into our orchards to source Australian fruit and we know there are plenty of Chinese consumers who would like access to Australian apples."

The executive highlighted APAL had released its new Apple & Pear Industry Export Development Strategy, which sets the target of exporting 10% of production by 2020.

"We look forward to ensuring that Chinese consumers have the opportunity to be part of that plan," Turnbull said.

There is no set timeline for when this will occur, but negotiations around access for additional summerfruit varieties are reportedly well advanced and the department is hopeful of an outcome in the near term.

www.freshfruitportal.com