Following several years of negotiations, Canada has now approved a request by the Australian Federal Government to enable a trade pathway for Australia's fresh apples without requiring fumigation or cold treatment, which can damage the quality of the fruit.
The new export agreement is a welcome boost for an industry valued at more than $680 million, with an annual crop of close to 300,000 tonnes of fruit. It follows on from the finalisation of market access for mainland apple growers to export to China earlier this year.
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Julie Collins MP said: “We welcome this improved access to the Canadian market, and the benefits our growers and producers will reap from the agreement.
“We continue to work on market access opportunities in all sectors of Australian agriculture and take great pride in being able to facilitate the trade of our world-class food and fibre.”
Australia now has a diversified trade market, exporting over 70% of its agricultural, fisheries and forestry production to over 160 markets globally.
Image credit: iStock.com/crbellette
