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Griffith’s wine industry has expressed its disappointment following the news China has extended its import tariffs on Australian wine. China announced last week that controversial import tariffs of 116 to 218 per cent on Australian wine would continue for another five years. Bob Berton, managing director of Berton Vineyards, says the announcement is disappointing but not a surprise. ALSO IN THE NEWS | Griffith’s Fijian community helps city to sparkle “Realistically we didn’t think there be any step backs from the Chinese government,” he said. China made up “10 to 12 per cent” of Berton Vineyards’ business at the start of last year, but since the announcement of the tariffs they have stopped sending bottles there entirely. “It had an instant impact on us and it’s going to be significant going forward … not just for us but for the industry as a whole,” Mr Berton said. Since the introduction of the tariffs, the Australian Grape and Wine association has seen a 10 to 15 per cent reduction in red wine prices. According to Mr Berton, the focus is now on finding markets to fill the massive gap left by China. “The reality is that we will be out of China for five years, but the markets will be there, we just have to find them.” India and Europe have been touted as potential replacements for the wine industry. IN OTHER NEWS: For the MIA’s winegrape growers, the impact of the tariffs has been more indirect but just as impactful. China tends to purchase premium wines and this region has always been known as a bulk-wine area, Nericon grower Bruno Altin said. “But what’s happening is all the premium stuff is being shifted down a level and so on. So it’s compiling on us more than any one else,” Mr Altin said. The tariffs mean Mr Altin’s winegrapes won’t sell for anywhere near as much, but he is hopeful that the situation could eventually have a positive outcome. “At the end of the day we should be doing what’s right instead of what makes us the most money,” he said. “If that means stepping away from China completely and into another country that maybe can’t pay as much but is more fair towards Australia then maybe that’s what we have to do.” Riverina MP Michael McCormack said the federal government would continue to work with the Australian wine industry “to defend against anti-dumping and countervailing claims as we look at options to resolve this issue, including taking the matter to the World Trade Organisation”. “The Australian wine industry has indicated it will consult constructively with us as we explore other markets in a bid to counter this decision,” he said. Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content:
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Griffith’s wine industry has expressed its disappointment following the news China has extended its import tariffs on Australian wine.
Bob Berton, managing director of Berton Vineyards, says the announcement is disappointing but not a surprise.
“Realistically we didn’t think there be any step backs from the Chinese government,” he said.
China made up “10 to 12 per cent” of Berton Vineyards’ business at the start of last year, but since the announcement of the tariffs they have stopped sending bottles there entirely.
“It had an instant impact on us and it’s going to be significant going forward … not just for us but for the industry as a whole,” Mr Berton said.
Bob Berton and Bill Gumbleton from Berton Vineyards in 2020. PHOTO: Shaun Paterson
Since the introduction of the tariffs, the Australian Grape and Wine association has seen a 10 to 15 per cent reduction in red wine prices.
According to Mr Berton, the focus is now on finding markets to fill the massive gap left by China.
“The reality is that we will be out of China for five years, but the markets will be there, we just have to find them.”
India and Europe have been touted as potential replacements for the wine industry.
For the MIA’s winegrape growers, the impact of the tariffs has been more indirect but just as impactful.
China tends to purchase premium wines and this region has always been known as a bulk-wine area, Nericon grower Bruno Altin said.
“But what’s happening is all the premium stuff is being shifted down a level and so on. So it’s compiling on us more than any one else,” Mr Altin said.
The tariffs mean Mr Altin’s winegrapes won’t sell for anywhere near as much, but he is hopeful that the situation could eventually have a positive outcome.
“At the end of the day we should be doing what’s right instead of what makes us the most money,” he said.
“If that means stepping away from China completely and into another country that maybe can’t pay as much but is more fair towards Australia then maybe that’s what we have to do.”
Riverina MP Michael McCormack said the federal government would continue to work with the Australian wine industry “to defend against anti-dumping and countervailing claims as we look at options to resolve this issue, including taking the matter to the World Trade Organisation”.
“The Australian wine industry has indicated it will consult constructively with us as we explore other markets in a bid to counter this decision,” he said.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content:
