'Enormous appetite' for Australian wine expected following trade tariff takeaway

China announcing it will lift trade tariffs on Australian wine is the product of “two years of really hard and determined work,” says Assistant Trade Minister Tim Ayres.

“The whole government focused on removing impediments to Australian trade and it is a very welcome development,” Mr Ayres told Sky News Australia.

The Assistant Trade Minister explained how the wine-making industry’s economic recovery depends on “commercial arrangements” exporters have with Chinese distribution companies but insisted demand for the product was substantial.

“There is an enormous appetite for high-quality Australian wine in the Chinese market – Chinese businesspeople who I met with absolutely understood the value of Australian wine,” he said.

“So I’m expecting to see a rapid take-up where there are existing markets.”