AUSTRALIA | Australia’s winemakers and exporters now have easier access to international markets due to the World Wine Trade Group (WWTG).
More than 60 delegates from 13 wine-trading countries met in Adelaide last week for the 2024 Annual Meeting of the WWTG, a group that brings together government and industry to facilitate international trade in wine.
The meeting was held in Adelaide as Australia is the chair of the WWTG for 2024-25, with discussions detailing non-tariff trade barriers, effective regulation and coordinating nutrition and ingredient labelling.
Australia’s hosting of the WWTG comes as Australian wine exports to China continue to rebound under the Albanese Labor Government, delivering significant growth for the Australian wine sector and reinforcing the importance of free and open trade.
Wine Australia CEO, Dr Martin Cole, said the market access collaboration between the Department for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Australian Grape & Wine, the Australian Wine Research Institute and Wine Australia was invaluable as it has enabled the industry to address technical, regulatory, and advocacy needs on behalf of the sector, ensuring Australian wine remains competitive globally.
“The regulatory environment is constantly evolving, with differing standards between markets. Opportunities for mutual acceptance and streamlined regulation – such as the WWTG – are important to make trade more accessible for all Australian wine producers,” said Cole.
In the 12 months to September 2024, Australian wine exports increased in value to AUD $2.39 billion. This is a 34 percent increase in the value of shipments from the previous year, and is the highest level for shipments in both value and volume since August 2021.
The Albanese Labor Government is committed to helping Australia’s wine industry thrive and is also delivering a multimillion package to boost the sector’s long-term viability.
Australia will continue to work through the WWTG to promote trade, share information, address regulatory issues in wine markets, and coordinate joint actions for the removal of trade barriers.
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