A step closer to exporting Queensland avocados to China

• MOU between Avocados Australia and China Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Association (CIQA) to build capabilities toward technical market access.
• Signing witnessed by Premier and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Annastacia Palaszczuk in Beijing.
• Queensland is Australia’s largest avocado producing State or Territory.

Exporting Queensland avocados to China has moved a step closer with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in Beijing between Avocados Australia and an agency that assists with market access.  

As the largest avocado producing state in Australia, the Palaszczuk Government firmly supports the sector gaining market access to China.

Based in Queensland, Avocados Australia is the peak industry body representing Australian avocado farmers, exporters, marketers and wholesalers.

The MOU is with China Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Association (CIQA) — a not-for-profit organisation focused on the import and export inspection and quarantine sector.

CIQA also assists with overcoming technical barriers to trade agreements and other technical market access issues.

Under the MOU, CIQA has agreed to assist in sharing market intelligence, helping to develop frameworks for necessary R&D that feed into overcoming market access barriers and facilitating information sharing between China’s regulatory market access bodies and Avocados Australia.

Quotes attributed to the Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk:

“Queensland produces some of the best avocados in Australia which are very much in demand overseas.

“I’m very pleased to witness the signing of this MOU which supports the opportunity for Australian avocados to gain market access to China.

“This MOU will enable greater collaboration between CIQA and Avocados Australia, while bolstering industry development through R&D, ultimately growing Queensland’s avocado industry and increasing employment.

“I look forward to welcoming the CIQA team to Queensland and opening additional pathways for a future thriving avocado trade with China,” she said.

Quotes attributed to Avocado Australia CEO, John Tyas:

“Building a strong and enduring technical partnership with CIQA is already helping to assist Australian researchers, particularly the research partners within the new $130 million Fresh and Secure Trade Alliance (FASTA) project, develop relevant data packages to ensure we achieve success when the market access negotiation begins." 

Quotes attributed to Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Minister Mark Furner:

“Our avocados are among the best in the world and the opportunities that could open up as a result of the MOU are very exciting.

“Our main varieties are Hass and Shepard and both are terrific eating.”

Further information:

• China is Queensland's largest goods export market for the 12 months to September 2023, valued at $23.7 billion.
• Avocados Australia plays a key role in seeking export markets for Australian avocados and sees great potential for avocado exports to China in the future.
• According to Avocados Australia, on average across 2020–21 and 2021–22, 48 per cent of Australia’s avocado production was based in Queensland, accounting for 65 per cent of national production in the 2023 financial year.
• In July 2023, Avocadoes Australia signed the MOU with CIQA to assist in communications and developing the relationship between AAL, DAFF, SAMR, and GACC.
• Currently, Hong Kong is the largest export market for Australian avocados, accounting for 46 per cent of the total export volume.
• Australian Avocados sit within the Hort Innovation Australia Limited ‘International Market Access Advisory Panel’ (IMAAP) approved pool for prioritisation to China. Avocados Australia is strategically focused on achieving a prioritisation outcome resulting in a market access negotiation opportunity. 

ENDS