- Published:
- Tuesday 8 September 2015
Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford officially opened the Australian pavilion at the China Fruit and Vegetable Fair today in Beijing.
The China Fruit and Vegetable Fair is an important event for the Australian horticulture industry, providing an opportunity to showcase a wide range of premium Australian horticulture products, establish new business relationships with key Chinese importers and advocate for new market access with quarantine officials.
Opening the Fair, Ms Pulford said the Australian presence at the Fair this year will be the biggest to date.
The Andrews Labor Government is growing Victoria’s thriving $2.4 billion horticulture industry by reducing barriers to trade and improving access to new markets, while supporting industry-led innovation and research.
One of Victoria’s advantages in the Chinese market is our ability to complement China’s growing season, supplying fresh produce counter seasonally.
As demand from China’s middle class for imported food and fibre continues to grow, Victoria has an opportunity to increase its exports to China as a producer of top quality, safe and reliable food and beverages.
The China Fruit and Vegetable Fair is coordinated and funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia.
Ms Pulford is leading a seven-day trade visit to China and Japan to attract new investment, strengthen relationships and reinforce Australia’s reputation as a premium supplier of top quality food and fibre products.
China is Australia’s largest trading partner and export market, with Victorian food and fibre exports to China more than doubling between 2004 and 2013 to be valued at over $2.7 billion in 2013-14.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford
“We’re committed to fostering closer trade and investment links between Victoria and China to capture more trade opportunities and create more jobs.”
“By ensuring our produce is on show in cities across our region like Beijing, we’re giving Victorian farming families more opportunities to grow.”
“Victoria accounts for more than half of Australia’s horticulture exports. We’re supporting this important sector to reduce trade barriers and boost exports in key markets such as China.”
Quotes attributable to John Lloyd, CEO Horticulture Innovation Australia
“Hort Innovation is delighted to be collaborating with the Victorian Government at this year’s China Fruit and Vegetable Fair.”
“We are honoured to have the Victorian Minister for Agriculture, on behalf of Australia, open the pavilion for what we anticipate will be a very successful Fair.”