Published Thursday, 16 November, 2006 at 03:17 PM
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
The Honourable Tim Mulherin
QUEENSLAND CITRUS SETS SIGHTS ON OLYMPICS
Queensland citrus producers are aiming for the Olympics after their mandarins were recommended for the 2008 Olympics menu following a China market visit on 17 – 25 September, Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin said today.
“Future sales growth of Queensland mandarins will be greatly assisted by the announcement that Chinese importer Goldland has won a recommendation to supply Queensland Honey Murcott mandarins to the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The recommendation will now proceed to the Olympics Committee for formalisation,” Mr Mulherin said.
The announcement was a part of the Asian Markets for Horticulture Initiative led by the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries to identify key export opportunities and overcome barriers to accessing Asian markets.
“The mission investigated citrus supply chains in Hong Kong, Guangzhou China and Shanghai as key economic markets.
“The Department discovered significant export opportunities for Queensland citrus, particularly in the city of Shanghai where rapid economic growth has meant an increased demand for quality imported fruit.”
Mr Mulherin said the market mission followed the successful launch in August of Australia’s first containers of Queensland mandarins into China under new stringent export protocols.
”Queensland mandarins are set to become the citrus of choice amongst Chinese consumers due to their sweetness, taste, quality and counter-seasonal production.”
Sandy McLay, owner of Queensland citrus producer Dermark located on the banks of the Burnett River said the mission highlighted significant export opportunities his business can benefit from.
“The signing of the new China Australia Citrus Protocol in April was our ‘foot in the door’ as it opened up the market to Australian producers who can now supply into specified northern Chinese ports,” Mr McLay said.
“We’ve identified that Queensland mandarins are of superior quality to other mandarins in the market and are most suitable for such gift giving seasons as the Moon Festival in early October.”
The mission itinerary included meetings with key importers, distributors, market representatives, supermarkets and quarantine inspectors, as well as visits to major market facilities and an international promotion at the Yantai Fruit Expo.
The Asian Markets for Horticulture Initiative is a Blueprint for the Bush project.
“Further development of exports into China can be expected as a result of the mission, with participants now having a much better understanding of the China and Hong Kong markets and supply chains, as well as having established key export relationships.” Mr Mulherin said.
More information on the China and Hong Kong market mission or the Asian Markets for Horticulture Initiative is available from Sacha Kitson, DPI&F Senior Communication and Marketing Officer, Ph: (07) 3225 1386 or e-mail sacha.kitson@dpi.qld.gov.au
“Future sales growth of Queensland mandarins will be greatly assisted by the announcement that Chinese importer Goldland has won a recommendation to supply Queensland Honey Murcott mandarins to the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The recommendation will now proceed to the Olympics Committee for formalisation,” Mr Mulherin said.
The announcement was a part of the Asian Markets for Horticulture Initiative led by the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries to identify key export opportunities and overcome barriers to accessing Asian markets.
“The mission investigated citrus supply chains in Hong Kong, Guangzhou China and Shanghai as key economic markets.
“The Department discovered significant export opportunities for Queensland citrus, particularly in the city of Shanghai where rapid economic growth has meant an increased demand for quality imported fruit.”
Mr Mulherin said the market mission followed the successful launch in August of Australia’s first containers of Queensland mandarins into China under new stringent export protocols.
”Queensland mandarins are set to become the citrus of choice amongst Chinese consumers due to their sweetness, taste, quality and counter-seasonal production.”
Sandy McLay, owner of Queensland citrus producer Dermark located on the banks of the Burnett River said the mission highlighted significant export opportunities his business can benefit from.
“The signing of the new China Australia Citrus Protocol in April was our ‘foot in the door’ as it opened up the market to Australian producers who can now supply into specified northern Chinese ports,” Mr McLay said.
“We’ve identified that Queensland mandarins are of superior quality to other mandarins in the market and are most suitable for such gift giving seasons as the Moon Festival in early October.”
The mission itinerary included meetings with key importers, distributors, market representatives, supermarkets and quarantine inspectors, as well as visits to major market facilities and an international promotion at the Yantai Fruit Expo.
The Asian Markets for Horticulture Initiative is a Blueprint for the Bush project.
“Further development of exports into China can be expected as a result of the mission, with participants now having a much better understanding of the China and Hong Kong markets and supply chains, as well as having established key export relationships.” Mr Mulherin said.
More information on the China and Hong Kong market mission or the Asian Markets for Horticulture Initiative is available from Sacha Kitson, DPI&F Senior Communication and Marketing Officer, Ph: (07) 3225 1386 or e-mail sacha.kitson@dpi.qld.gov.au