The Australian delegates. Back row L-R: Sean Macintyre (DAFF), Damien Griffante (AGW), Hayden King (DAFF), Eric Wilkes (AWRI), Ned Hewitson (Wine Australia), Timothy Ruben (DAFF). Front row L-R: Paul Denny (DAFF), Naomi Verdonk (Wine Australia), Rebecca Fox (Wine Australia), Steve Guy (Wine Australia)

Australia’s winemakers and exporters could benefit from easier access to international markets, thanks to the work of the World Wine Trade Group (WWTG).

More than 60 delegates from 13 wine-trading countries met in Adelaide for the 2024 Annual Meeting of the WWTG, a group which brings together government and industry to facilitate international trade in wine.

Dr John Barker, director general of the International Organisation for Vine and Wine (OIV), was also present at the WWTG this year.

“This is the first time ever that an OIV Director General has participated in a WWTG meeting,” noted Lee McLean, CEO of Australian Grape & Wine.

“Having Dr Barker contribute to these meetings represents a genuine collaborative approach to supporting global wine trade and regulatory harmonisation.”

The meeting was held in Adelaide as Australia is the chair of the WWTG for 2024-25, with discussions detailing non-tariff trade barriers, effective regulation and coordinating nutrition and ingredient labelling.

General manager for commercial and regulatory affairs at The Australian Wine and Research Institute (AWRI), Dr Eric Wilkes, said the AWRI was proud to contribute to the WWTG as an industry representative, supporting discussions with the latest technical information.

“We are delighted to have been able to welcome delegates of the Adelaide meeting to visit our facilities as part of the group’s technical tour,” said Dr Wilkes.

“We look forward to continuing our involvement with the WWTG, using our scientific expertise to support its efforts to harmonise regulations and remove barriers to trade.”

Wine Australia CEO, Dr Martin Cole, added that with the constant evolution of regulatory environments, meetings such as that of the WWTG provide a critical opportunity for Australia to be involved in the conversation and ensure smooth regulation and trade access for producers.

“The market access collaboration between the Department for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Australian Grape & Wine, the Australian Wine Research Institute and Wine Australia is invaluable as it enables us to address technical, regulatory, and advocacy needs on behalf of the sector, ensuring Australian wine remains competitive globally,” said Dr Cole.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Julie Collins, said that Australia was honoured to host the annual meeting.

“The WWTG supports a thriving and competitive global wine industry,” said Minister Collins. “It seeks to remove trade barriers and eliminate unnecessary obstacles to trade.

“While non-tariff measures and barriers to trade are becoming increasingly prevalent in some markets, the WWTG’s commitment to mutual acceptance and harmonisation is more important now than ever.

“The opportunity to discuss issues impacting the wine industry at a global forum allows for joint action to be made that will improve access to markets.”

Australia will continue to work through the WWTG to promote trade, share information, address regulatory issues in wine markets, and coordinate joint actions for the removal of trade barriers.

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