Posts Categorized: News

Hybrid custard apple gives export hope

NEW DELHI: India is looking at the Chinese market to push its new variety of custard apple (Sharifa or Sitaphal) which despite being quite high on nutritional value and having a higher shelf life compared to the traditional variety could not become a popular export earlier. India had requested China to give export clearance to… Read more »

Federal Government trade inquiry urges departments to involve horticulture industry in breaking down trade barriers

A Federal Government inquiry has urged the Departments of Agriculture and Trade to involve the horticulture industry in opening up doors to increase export trade. The report on the inquiry into business use of Free Trade Agreements has been tabled in Federal Parliament making 14 recommendations. It says “the Department of Agriculture should continue negotiating with trading… Read more »

Shanghai showcase for Aus farms

AUSTRALIAN farmland and related investment opportunities will be promoted in China during August at a major event in Shanghai. Landmark Harcouts is taking its Connect with Australia property showcase to China to provide a platform for potential investors to make direct contact with Australian producers of beef, grains, fibre, dairy and horticulture in a bid… Read more »

Bumper chickpea crop looms

AUSTRALIAN growers are set to produce up to 80 per cent more chickpeas this year compared with 2014 on the back of historically high prices last year. And now the race is on to get Australian chickpea exports underway before domestic supply in India, the world’s largest producer, can replenish the low stocks currently keeping… Read more »

Australia questions India’s mandatory sugar export quota

NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 30: Australia has questioned India’s decision to make it mandatory for sugar millers to export 5 million tonnes during the 2015-16 sugar season (October-September). “Australia has (at a WTO meet) indicated that if India intends to carry out the mandated exports at a subsidized price, it has the potential to distort world… Read more »

Funding for Aussie veg growers

AUSVEG has welcomed the announcement from the Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources, the Hon. Barnaby Joyce MP, of an allocation of funds to increase the exporting skills of Australian vegetable growers under the Federal Government’s Package Assisting Small Exporters program (PASE). The two year grant, worth over $95,000, will allow AUSVEG to develop a… Read more »

Don’t allow FTA to slip away: China

China will tonight issue its strongest statement yet about the political impasse blocking Australia’s ratification of a free-trade agreement between the two nations, with ambassador Ma Zhaoxu warning the deal on offer “should not be allowed to slip through our fingers”. Mr Ma will tell a meeting of business and political leaders in Melbourne that… Read more »

Korea starts fruit exports to China

South Korea shipped 5 tons of “geobong” — a species of grapes — to China, marking its first-ever export of fresh fruit to the country, said the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs on Tuesday. Agriculture Minister Lee Dong-phil and representatives of 13 local vineyards in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, saw the premium quality… Read more »

China delegation tours WA’s grain sites

A DELEGATION from China with interests in buying WA grain toured the State’s supply chain last week in a bid to increase understanding of our farming systems. The group hosted by Austrade included representatives from some of China’s most important agribusiness companies with interests in buying Australian products. Australian Export Grains Innovation Center co-ordinated the… Read more »

These 3 Australian agricultural exports are set to soar thanks to the recently signed free trade agreements

In the past 18 months, Australia has signed major free trade agreements (FTAs) with Japan, South Korea and China. These FTAs are set to significantly benefit the Australian agriculture sector and the nation’s premium producers will be among the biggest winners. Primary producers, such as beef cattle farmers, dairy cattle farmers and grape growers, will… Read more »

Australia’s farm production forecast to hit $57.1 billion this year

THE gross value of Australia’s farm production is forecast to increase by 8 per cent to about $57.1 billion in the coming year. The boom was thanks to increases in livestock value, as well as strong crop production, following favourable seasonal conditions and the lowering of the Australian dollar, according to Australian Bureau of Agricultural… Read more »

Tasmanian farmers want State Government explanation of Biosecurity Tasmania $1.9 million budget deficit revelations

Tasmania’s peak farming body says it wants an explanation from the State Government about reports of Biosecurity Tasmania’s $1.9 million budget deficit. An internal Biosecurity Tasmania document leaked to ABC Rural reveals the budget shortfall and serious concerns about the division’s ability to service agricultural production growth. Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association CEO, Peter Skillern,… Read more »

Final protocols struck for U.S. rice exports to China

The long courtship of the U.S. rice industry and China is finally set to bear fruit, according to a report from the U.S. Rice Producers Association (USRPA). The USDA and several agencies under its umbrella have yet to comment on the report. After years of back-and-forth negotiations – largely based on phytosanitary protocols – Chinese… Read more »

Pulse exports on pace for banner year

Expect another “monstrous” pulse export program during the first half of 2015-16, say industry analysts. “It’s going to be huge,” said Chuck Penner, analyst with LeftField Commodity Research. Exports are on pace with last year’s record-setting program and he doesn’t see any let up for pea or lentil demand in the near future. “That has… Read more »

Agriculture’s growing contribution to the economy

Australian farmers’ contribution to the nation’s wealth through export earnings is increasing at a time when other commodities are on the wane, demonstrating just how vital farming is to the future of the nation Agriculture minister Barnaby Joyce says the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) figures show a 7 per cent increase in the… Read more »

Ag exports to China surge

SHANGHAI: PRIME Minister Tony Abbott may believe coal is “good for humanity”, but China is taking the opposite view. Official figures released on Tuesday showed the volume of coal imports fell 31.3 per cent over the first eight months of the year, as China’s overall trade for August declined more than expected. China’s decline in… Read more »