China International Import Expo: SA companies seal $30m in deals already

Tens of millions worth of deals are being forged by South Australian firms at the world’s biggest trade fair.

SA businesses are striking more than $30m worth of Chinese deals at the world’s biggest trade expo in Shanghai, with wine and seafood leading the way.

The six-day China International Import Expo, which ends on Sunday, is the first since duties on Australian wine and suspensions of red meat were lifted in 2023.

More than 30 South Australian businesses are participating, including 16 wine firms and six seafood companies.

More than $30m of deals involving SA firms were already being struck by day two of the expo, according to official figures, including $15.2m worth of wine and seafood worth $5.8m.

A further $2m worth of dairy deals were in the pipeline, along with $7.6m of other commodities, including honey, olive oil and juice.

Trade Minister Don Farrell on the rooftop of the Peace Hotel, Shanghai, on Monday. Picture: Will Glasgow

Federal Trade Minister Don Farrell, also a South Australian Senator, said more than $15bn of previously impeded products had been exported to China since sanctions were lifted.

“But we can’t rest on our laurels, the job is not done. These Aussie businesses need our support to re-establish themselves in the Chinese market, and around the world as we diversify into new markets,” he said.

“Which is why I’m proud to be backing in a record number of Aussie companies in Shanghai this week – because every single product we export to the world represents thousands of Australian jobs.”

Senator Farrell said $527m worth of consumer trade deals were forged in Shanghai in 2023 and an even better result was predicted this year.

SA firms at the Shanghai import expo included Treasury Wine Estates, Chateau Tanunda, Dinko Seafoods, Rymill Coonawarra, Stehr Group (tuna), The Yoghurt Shop, SA Lobster Company and Clare Valley Food.

Treasury Wine Estates chief executive officer Tim Ford. Picture: Supplied

China is Australia’s largest trading partner, with total two-way trade reaching a record $327bn in 2023.

Also in Shanghai, Senator Farrell held talks with Chinese counterpart Wang Wentao, where he pushed for the “timely resumption of live rock lobster into China by the end of the year”.

This timeline was agreed in October at a meeting between Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and China’s Premier Li Qiang at the ASEAN summit of South-East Asian leaders.

Senator Farrell said he also pushed for the remaining trade impediments on two Queensland beef abattoirs to be removed.

Australia exported $458.8m worth of wine into China, mostly from SA, since duties were lifted in March, 2024.

Australia’s largest wine producer, Treasury Wine Estates, and Senator Farrell, timed the launch of a joint winemaking training program around the Shanghai expo.

The training program will start in March, 2025, bringing Chinese winemakers to coincide with the Australian industry’s crush season.