ACCORDING to Christina Goodman, an Austrade Trade commissioner based in Chengdu, the opportunity for Australia’s agriculture sector in China is immense and not limited to the premium end of the retail market.

Goodman said there are opportunities all along the supply chain for Australian agribusinesses in China, including partnering with existing Chinese players in the sector.

“Although Australia is seen as a provider of premium products, there are also opportunities in breeding and genetics, in animal nutrition, in joint research and development,” she said.

“I think there’s a place for both Australian exports as well as Australian expertise.”

The Austrade commissioner said China is already a large scale agricultural producer in its own right, feeding 1.3 billion people with only nine per cent of the world’s arable land and 7% of the world’s fresh water.

Chinese companies are looking for partners and are looking to Australian expertise to improve their own production rates.

“The Chinese marketplace is looking for more than the highest quality beef or dairy,” Goodman said.

Goodman said as China’s middle class experiences increasing incomes they are also demanding better quality food.

“There’s a huge push coming from the consumption sector and coming also from China’s policymakers to improve the productivity, the sustainability and the quality of China’s produce,” she said.

“If looking to export your goods or services to China it’s important to educate yourself, understand local ways of doing business, the local regulations and environmental requirements.

“Another thing that should be considered is your branding, if selling beef, lamb or wool it’s important to local consumers to know your story and it’s important to learn how to protect it.”

Source: Farming Ahead. Date: 2017-07-31