Australia’s winemakers and exporters are benefiting from easier access to international markets, thanks to the work of 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 which 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.
In the 12 months to September 2024, Australian wine exports increased in value to $2.39 billion. This is a 34 per cent 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.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Julie Collins MP:
“Australia is honoured to have been the host for this year’s annual meeting.
“More than 16 million glasses of Aussie wine are enjoyed overseas every day, from 100 grape varieties grown across Australia’s 65 wine regions.
“The WWTG supports a thriving and competitive global wine industry. It seeks to remove trade barriers and eliminate unnecessary obstacles to trade.
“While non-tariff measures and barriers to trade are becoming increasingly prevalent in some markets, the WWTG’s commitment to mutual acceptance and harmonisation is more important now than ever.
“The opportunity to discuss issues impacting the wine industry at a global forum allows for joint action to be made that will improve access to markets.”
Quotes attributable to Wine Australia CEO, Dr Martin Cole:
“The market access collaboration between the Department for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Australian Grape & Wine, the Australian Wine Research Institute and Wine Australia is invaluable as it enables us 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.”
Quotes attributable to Chief Executive of Australian Grape and Wine, Mr Lee McLean:
“We were delighted to have the Director General of the International Organisation for Vine and Wine (OIV), Dr John Barker, address the WWTG this year.
“This is the first time ever that an OIV Director General has participated in a WWTG meeting.
“Having Dr Barker contribute to these meetings represents a genuine collaborative approach to supporting global wine trade and regulatory harmonisation.”
Quotes attributable to General Manager for Commercial and Regulatory Affairs of The Australian Wine and Research Institute, Dr Eric Wilkes:
“The Australian Wine Research Institute is proud to contribute as an industry representative within the WWTG, providing the latest technical information to support discussions on facilitating international trade.
“We are delighted to have been able to welcome delegates of the Adelaide meeting to visit our facilities as part of the group’s technical tour.
“We look forward to continuing our involvement with the WWTG, using our scientific expertise to support its efforts to harmonise regulations and remove barriers to trade.”
