Australian cherry exporters are bound for China as they increase efforts to gain direct access to the growing market’s mainland.
An Australian delegation of cherry growers and exporters left for China today for a several days of talks, reported the ABC, and will begin the tour at a fruit and vegetable trade fair.
President of peak body Cherry Growers Australia Ian Hay is taking part in the trip, and said signing a deal for access would be hugely beneficial to Australian growers.
“Cherries and summer fruit have been sent ahead of us by a day,” he said.
“It's the first time we’ve been able to get fruit directly into China legally, with the paperwork attached to it. That was pretty historic on its own. We’ll be handing that fruit out at the trade fair.”
The cherry industry representatives will join a number of other Australian horticultural sectors to have visited China recently for high-level bilateral talks.