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FTA no help to horticulture's Asian dealings
19 Feb 2004
Horticultural exporters don't share their peak body's enthusiasm for Australia's free trade agreement with the US. Last week, Horticulture Australia said the industry was "extremely pleased" with the deal, which offers zero tariffs on all major fresh exports to the US.
But the Horticultural Exporters' Association believes Horticulture Australia has forgotten that the main trade issues are with Asia, particularly gaining market access to China. The association's David Minnis said forget about the US - where Australian produce can't compete against cheap South American supplies. The real game for Australia is in Asia and this should be Horticulture Australia's priority.
Mr Minnis said the US FTA was "cold comfort" to Australian horticulture exporters, who have lost sales to China worth $100 million in the last six months as that nation erodes Australia's markets. Tim Nethersole from V19, a large exporter, agreed and said the amount of Australian produce entering the US is negligible, as tough quarantine rules make it almost impossible to get in. China is the key market and future trade talks are vital.
Weekly Times, 18/2/04, page 11.
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