Exporters of bottled and bulk wine from Australia to China will no longer be slugged a tariff following their elimination from 1 January 2019 under the China–Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA).

ChAFTA entered into force on 20 December 2015. Under the agreement, the import tariff of 14 percent for bottled wine and 20% for bulk was gradually phased down over four years.

The Federal Minister for Agriculture David Littleproud said ChAFTA had contributed to significant growth in Australia’s agricultural exports over the last 12 months, with wine exports up 65.1%, beef exports up 34.5% to $1 billion, dairy exports up 38% to $818.8 million, and navel orange exports up 57.5% to $87.2 million.

Littleproud added the elimination of tariffs on wine, most fruit and vegetables, seafood and some dairy from 1 January meant “our produce will be more affordable for Chinese consumers”.