South Australian wine one year on - $855M later
Twelve months after China lifted tariffs on Australian wine, South Australia’s wine industry is celebrating as wine exports surge near to record levels.
In the year to March 2025, South Australia exported 99.5 million litres of wine to China, valued at $854.9 million (Australian Bureau of Statistics data), a 200-fold increase on the previous year and 86 per cent of Australia’s total of $987 million.
At their peak, South Australia’s wine exports to China reached $946.5 million in the year to October 2020 – a month before tariffs were introduced.
To support the wine industry throughout the tariff restrictions, the South Australian Government established a $1.85 million Wine Exporters China Re-engagement Support Program to help the industry diversify its markets, provide guidance and advice on exporting, marketing campaigns, market activation programs and wine immersion events.
Since January 2024, the program has successfully rolled out initiatives including:
- Export workshops for businesses across regional South Australia – attended by more than 220 wine industry representatives
- The appointment of a new, Shanghai-based Wine Export Adviser
- Supported trade missions and business delegations to some of China’s largest food, wine and importer expos
- Launched 10 strategically timed marketing campaigns in China to promote and raise awareness of South Australian wine
- Supported trade missions, business delegations and activations at some of China’s largest food, wine and importer expos
- Organised for a delegation of influential Chinese wine importers to visit and tour South Australian wine regions
- Provided ongoing advocacy and advisory support for exporters.
In April 2025, Minister for Trade and Investment, Joe Szakacs led a trade mission to China and launched the latest in-market wine initiative, a Bistro Campaign which promoted food and wine across 37 bistros and restaurants in Shanghai and Shenzhen.
“South Australia’s premium wines are once again capturing the attention of Chinese consumers, solidifying the state’s reputation for world-class winemaking excellence,” said Inca Lee, Chief Executive, South Australian Wine Industry Association. “The results are strong, with continued investment to grow demand in China and other markets needed to ensure the industry’s long-term success.
“At a time when we are seeing a global decline in wine consumption and an unpredictable trading landscape, we acknowledge the government’s commitment to rebuilding our exports into China and supporting diversification efforts into other key export markets.”
The Wine Exporters China Re-engagement Support Program will continue until June 2026 to further expand South Australia’s presence in China.
Globally, wine remained the state’s fourth highest export at $1.9 billion, up 49 per cent, topped only by metals, ores and grains.
Learn more about the Wine Exporters China Re-engagement Support Program
Learn more about the Wine Exporters China Re-engagement Support Program