Asian market access study tours 2014 (AP14701)

What was it all about?

With almost 1.4 billion potential customers, China is a high-potential export market for Australian apples and pears. At the time of writing, only Tasmanian apple suppliers had access to this large and growing market.

This project enabled APAL representatives to attend trade events and meetings with Chinese government officials to try to place mainland Australian produce onto shelves in the world’s most populous nation.

The missions to China aimed to progress the mainland Australian apple access request and seek support for a new request on access for Australian pears.

APAL delegates made connections and strengthened existing relationships with buyers, the supply chain and market knowledge experts, including Chinese greengrocer Pagoda. In May 2015, Chinese officials said they had commenced the information gathering stage of the import risk assessment for Australian mainland apples.

The study tours gave APAL a better ability to navigate the assessment by understanding the process, the key decisionmakers and key influencing entities. A signed agreement between the Australian horticulture industries and the China Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Association (CIQA) provided the framework for APAL to pursue an agreement with CIQA to advance collaboration with the Chinese apple and pear industry.

The tours also provided a better understanding of the respective roles of Fruit and Vegetable Fair Beijing (a market access event) and Asia Fruit Logistica (a market development event), which will enable better allocation of resources.