Au grape promotion Japan

The fourth round of tariff cuts has further boosted Australia’s exporters competitive edge in Japan.

Since the Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement (Jaepa) was signed, imports tariffs have been eliminated on more than 3,400 Australian products, according to Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Fresh fruit and vegetable exports have seen a jump, with exports of fresh table grapes increasing 5,184 per cent between gaining access in 2014 and 2016. Grape exports were valued at A$30.8m in 2016.

Carrot exports have increased 499.9 per cent to A$3.4m, while orange and asparagus exports were up almost 50 per cent.

Jaepa came into force in January 2015, with Australia remaining the only major agriculture exporter to have a trade agreement with Japan.