What was it all about?

This project supported new market access for Australian nectarines into China. It followed the agreement of new import protocols signed by both countries in May 2016.

China was the highest priority country for Australian nectarine access, and the agreed protocols have successfully provided access to this market, the second largest in the world.

As part of this project, the following strategies were undertaken to secure trade access for Australian summerfruit:

• Development and maintenance of relationships with in-market government agencies, local industries and trade
• Close work with the Australian Government to provide technical advice and a consistent message to all China contacts
• Collection of evidence-based arguments for commercially viable protocol requirements
• Provision of reciprocal benefits through training of local industry counterparts on best-practice farming
• Preparation for market entry by building awareness of and demand for quality Australian fruit among key trade players.

The agreed protocol provides commercially viable export conditions with a range of treatment options for the major horticultural pest, Queensland fruit fly.