Table grape exports to Japan have boomed under the recent free trade agreement, and next season Japan wants more.
Victorian Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford yesterday visited Japan’s largest supermarket chain Aeon in Tokyo to celebrate the recent success of Victorian table grape exports to Japan.
The Japan-Australia FTA saw market access for table grapes granted early last year, and will mean the tariff on table grapes will be reduced to zero over the next seven to 10 years.
As a result, 16 containers of Australian table grapes were exported to Japan last year and 165 containers — worth about $10 million — were exported this year.
Australian Table Grape Association chief executive Jeff Scott said he believed exports to Japan could double again next season to 300 containers, worth more than $20 million.
The Victorian Government hosted a delegation of key Japanese fruit buyers in Sunraysia in February this year, where they were able to meet with Australian table grape growers and exporters.
Retail promotions of Australian table grapes took place in key supermarkets and departments stores in Japan, where consumers were educated about the qualities of Australian table grapes.
Victoria produces more than 95 per cent of Australia’s table grape exports.
