Shanghai Dinner Strengthens Australia-China Horticultural Cooperation

Summary

The 2026 Australia-China fruit, vegetable and nut industry dinner was held at the Peace Hotel in Shanghai on 27 August, attracting more than 170 Chinese and Australian attendees. John Said, deputy chairman of the Australian Horticulture Innovation Association, delivered the welcome address. Cao Derong, president of the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Foodstuffs, Native Produce and Animal By-Products, also addressed the gathering.

During the event, the two sides signed a memorandum of cooperation to advance bilateral horticultural cooperation through the China International Fruit Expo.

Commentary

The memorandum signed between the Australian Horticulture Innovation Association and the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Foodstuffs, Native Produce and Animal By-Products signals a deeper engagement through the China International Fruit Expo. China remains Australia’s largest export market for horticultural products, with annual exports worth billions of Australian dollars, while the China-Australia free trade agreement has removed tariffs on most horticultural categories. For New Zealand small and medium enterprises, the immediate outlook points to intensified promotional campaigns for Australian citrus, grapes and nuts in China.

This could directly challenge the premium positioning of New Zealand apples and cherries, particularly given Australia’s scale advantages in nuts such as macadamias and almonds. However, the collective push by Australian exporters and Chinese importers to cultivate the market is likely to raise consumer awareness of safe, traceable horticultural produce from Oceania. New Zealand’s Zespri kiwifruit, which dominates China’s imported kiwifruit segment, can capitalise on this trend to further entrench its premium status.

New Zealand businesses should keep a close watch on Australian channel strategies and remain flexible in offering counter-seasonal supply and distinct varieties such as Jazz apples.

Keywords: Australia, fruit, vegetable and nut industry, industry exchange, Sino-Australian cooperation, China International Fruit Expo, horticulture, memorandum of cooperation

Summary in Chinese | 摘要

2026澳大利亚果蔬坚果产业交流晚宴8月27日在上海和平饭店举行，170余位中澳嘉宾参会。澳大利亚园艺创新协会副主席John Said致欢迎辞，中国食品土畜进出口商会会长曹德荣等致辞，现场签署合作备忘录，依托中国国际水果展促进中澳园艺产业合作。

Commentary in Chinese | 评论

澳大利亚园艺创新协会与中国食品土畜进出口商会签署合作备忘录，依托中国国际水果展深化对接。中国是澳大利亚园艺产品最大出口市场，年出口额数十亿澳元，中澳自贸协定已基本消除多数园艺品类关税。对NZ中小企业主而言，短期看澳大利亚柑橘、葡萄、坚果在华推广加码，可能对新西兰苹果、樱桃等高端品类形成直接竞争，尤其澳方在夏威夷果、杏仁等坚果品类具有规模优势；但澳方联合中国进口商共同培育市场，有助于提升中国消费者对大洋洲安全可追溯园艺产品的整体认知，新西兰佳沛猕猴桃占据中国进口猕猴桃市场主导地位，可借此巩固高端定位。

新西兰企业应紧盯澳方渠道策略，在反季节供应和特色品种如爵士苹果、小苹果等上保持敏捷。

关键词: 澳大利亚, 果蔬坚果, 产业交流, 中澳合作, 中国国际水果展, 园艺产业, 合作备忘录

Source: Jiaodong Online