Winemakers benefit from record exports

Australian wine export values are the highest in a decade, increasing by 16 per cent to $2.65 billion in the year to March, according to Wine Australia's latest Export Report.

Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources Anne Ruston said the export numbers are a win for the wine industry and a win for jobs in regional Australia.

 

“Regional Australia continues to benefit from higher exports − we’re not going to get rich selling to ourselves,” Minister Ruston said.

 

“It makes sense that we export our wine when the world’s largest market is right on our doorstep.

 

“These record wine export numbers also have benefits far beyond the cellar door, with important flow-on effects for the towns and cities around our wine regions.”

 

Minister Ruston said it was the first time the value of a single wine market has reached over one billion dollars.

 

“Exports to China (including Hong Kong) are up 51 per cent over the year to March, now worth $1.04 billion annually,” Minister Ruston said.

 

“New market opportunities underpinned by free trade deals secured by the Coalition Government are providing producers the ability to increase their sales and reinvest in their business.

 

“The government anticipates the value and volume of wine exports to China will only grow as tariffs for Australian wine into China will be entirely removed from January 1 next year.”

 

Minister Ruston said the Coalition Government’s $50 million Export and Regional Wine Support Package is also providing unprecedented support to help wine sellers take advantage of new and emerging markets.

 

“The package supports a three-year plan to attract 40,000 more international tourists to Australia's wine regions, which will boost regional economies, increase export values and provide more jobs,” Minister Ruston said.

 

“It is great to see the Coalition’s policies helping the wine industry to reach its potential.”