Chinese Export Uncertainty

Chinese Export Uncertainty

After a year of a global pandemic, regular workplace practices and operations continue to change. Fresh State spoke with the Director at Ten Farms, Mr David Holman, about how the controversy surrounding the pandemic and China has affected the fruit and vegetable industry in Australia, especially with Chinese exports. Tenfarms ship citrus, stone fruit and grapes to China each season and this year they have shipped more by airfreight than usual due to the timing of Chinese New Year.

A statement from the Department of Agriculture, in the work to mitigate risk as best as we can. Manual of Importing Country Requirements, says; “The impact on our business is that we are not as confident The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment as usual in loading into China. The importers are not as (Department) will continue to provide certification for goods confident in their ability to meet a stable market and are that meet the requirements of the ordering with more of the risk to Export Control Act. Exporters/ be borne by shippers in the event of export-registered establishments an issue causing rejection, delay, or are advised that some recent shipments have been delayed “There have not been any inability to receive produce. Some of the fruit we may have sent to China on entry into China, leading to formal changes made is now being sold domestically commercial losses. While the Department will continue to to the obligations in or to other markets. Currently, many of our other markets are in facilitate market access and seek to ensure importing country China export protocols, lockdown and as we draw closer to the Chinese Lunar new year requirements are up to date and accurate, the Department but what has changed celebrations, Malaysia, Indonesia, and many other areas are simply encourages exporters to fully consider their own risk and is the likelihood of our unable to receive and sell produce as rapidly as before, and the result is potential losses. Exporters should ensure that they have produce arriving in a lower prices and unsold stock,” says Mr Holman. independently confirmed relevant timely manner, and Holman hoped that the current importing country requirements. Exporters are urged to seek advice when it does arrive, we lockdowns and the restrictions pre-Chinese New Year achieve from importers on potential for disruption to the clearance of are no longer confident the results that the respective governments hope for and that their shipment. According to this statement, that our produce will be after the festive period, they will be able to return to trade in a more this means Australian shippers promptly delivered to a confident manner. cargo meets every requirement. However, Mr Holman says that welcoming market,” said “Our best of season stone fruit and table grapes are harvested in it is clear that wholesalers and businesses may face commercial Mr Holman. February, and it would be great to see the month finish in a more losses due to issues outside of positive manner with growers meeting the terms of trade. finally getting the viable returns “There will be no government they deserve for delivering the support in these risks, but fruit needs to be sold, so we must amazing summer range on offer today.”