Support program to cast China market wide open for SA’s seafood exporters
South Australia’s seafood and lobster industries are being supported to rapidly re-engage with the lucrative China market as soon as trade restrictions ease, with a new program to deliver export and marketing support.
The Chinese Government placed prohibitions on the import of Australian rock lobster in 2020. Prior to that decision, more than $70 million worth of South Australian southern rock lobster was exported to China annually.
Improved relations have recently led to an easing of trade restrictions on Australian products entering the China market, including the reduction of tariffs on Australian barley and wine. That has already resulted in a bounce back for local exports, including $79 million worth of South Australian wine being exported into China in the month of April 2024.
South Australian rock lobster fishers are hopeful that remaining restrictions on lobster exports into China will be the next to ease, reopening a major trade route.
The Seafood Export Growth Program has been developed to ensure the industry is poised to make the most of the opportunity should regulations be altered in China to permit the reopening of trade.
The Seafood Export Growth Program has been developed to ensure the industry is poised to make the most of the opportunity should regulations be altered in China to permit the reopening of trade.
The Seafood Export Growth Program includes:
· Support for SA seafood exporters to attend major international trade events
· Bringing key seafood importers to South Australia for familiarisation visits
· A marketing campaign for international audiences, including China and Japan.
Capability building activities will also be offered by the Department of State Development, including industry information sessions to help producers better understand changing market trends, regulatory issues, opportunities and risks.
The package has been developed following consultation with the South Australian seafood industry and will support South Australian exporters of Southern Rock Lobster, Southern Bluefin Tuna, and other seafood products.
“I’m pleased that, following how severely hit our lobster market has been with the China seafood ban, the South Australian Government is lending its support through this new initiative,” said Mr Andrew Ferguson, Managing Director, Ferguson Australia Group. “The China market is not the same as it was before the ban was imposed and, as a member of the South Australian seafood industry, it is great to see support for activities and I welcome the opportunity to leverage new market opportunities for a range of our state’s seafood produce.”
South Australian seafood exports to all markets in the year to April 2024 were valued at $214.5 million, up 3.8 per cent on the previous year and representing 16 per cent of Australia’s total seafood exports.
In the year to April 2024, South Australia’s tuna exports were valued at $117 million, with 97 per cent of exports ($113.8 million) going to Japan.
Lobster exports were valued at $41 million in the same period, primarily going to Hong Kong ($24 million) and Vietnam ($14 million).
“China and Southeast Asia are new markets for South Australian tuna exporters and have huge potential as additional, untapped markets for the state's premium southern bluefin tuna,” said Lukina Lukin, owner and Managing Director, Dinko Tuna Farmers.
“However, without in-market knowledge and ways to connect with influential importers, it can be challenging to reach new markets like China and the Southeast Asian region.
“I'm thrilled to have the South Australian Government's support through this initiative, which will help us bring more of our quality produce to the world.”
The program will fund activities throughout the 2024-25 financial year.
Premier Peter Malinauskas visited China in September last year, marking the first time a South Australian Premier had visited the country since before the seafood restrictions were imposed. In March, Primary Industries Minister Clare Scriven visited China, supporting South Australian exporters at the Taste of South Australia events in Guangzhou and Chengdu.
For more information about the Seafood Export Growth Program and to sign up for ongoing updates, please visit https://export.sa.gov.au/seafood-export