Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced that China will review its current 220 per cent import duties on Australian bottled wine.
The announcement comes after months of discussions between China and Australian wine bodies NSW Wine, Australian Grape & Wine, and Wine Australia in conjunction with the Labor Government.
NSW Wine Industry Association President Mr Mark Bourne has supported the announcement, in hope that it will relieve the oversupply of product the industry is facing after natural disasters and the Covid-19 pandemic.
“This is an encouraging step forward that will hopefully lead to the removal of Chinese import duties on Australian wine,” says Bourne.
“The announcement of a potential pathway to resolve the multi-year trade dispute, and the reopening of the Chinese market, is positive news for many grape growers and winemakers across NSW.”
The Chinese Government may take five months to complete the review, but will be supported by NSW Wine throughout the process.
It has also been reported that Australia will suspend the current case against China with the World Trade Organisation pending the outcome of the review.