Cook Government to support WA wine exporters to re-engage in Chinese market

• Cook Labor Government welcomes China's decision to remove wine tariffs
• China remains Western Australia's largest agrifood and beverage export market
• State Government to help WA wine exporters re-engage with China

The Cook Labor Government has welcomed China's decision to remove tariffs imposed on Australian wine, and will support Western Australian wine exporters to re-engage with this important market.

Since 2021, the State Government has worked closely with the wine industry and Wines of Western Australia through the Wine Industry Export Growth Partnership to drive wine export competitiveness and increase the value of WA wine exports.

The partnership is supported by industry funding of $3 million, matched with State Government funding of $3m, over a 4-year period.

In coming months, the partnership will assist WA wine exporters to re-establish key relationships and sale channels in China.

Prior to the introduction of tariffs, China was WA's largest overseas wine market with 2.1 million litres of wine exports to China in 2019-20, valued at $18.3m and representing 38 per cent of the State's wine exports.

China is WA's largest agrifood and beverage export market, representing more than 18 per cent of the State's total agrifood and beverage exports in 2022-23.

Comments attributed to Premier Roger Cook:

"I'm thrilled by China's decision to remove tariffs on Australian wine.

"WA wines are world renowned, and I'm pleased that producers will now be able to re-engage with this important market.

"Since 2021, the State Government has worked with closely with producers and exporters to support this valuable industry.

"We will continue to work with them to re-establish key relationships and promote their products in China."

Comments attributed to Minister for Regional Development Don Punch:

"This news will be a great boost to our valuable wine industry.

"WA wine exports to China were on the rise prior to the tariffs, more than doubling in value between 2010 and 2020.

"Full resumption of bilateral trade will be a significant benefit for both markets, and the WA Government welcomes these positive steps given our close ties with the Chinese market.

"The State Government will work with WA's wine industry to re-engage with the China market and support the promotion of premium wine in market."