Nearly 500 containers have been delayed in customs clearance at Chinese ports, and the country has lost the Chinese market

Australian wine has already lost the Chinese market, and now, even Australian grapes are "panic". It is worth mentioning that Victoria is an important producer of Australian table grapes.

According to a Reuters report on April 23, Australian table grape growers and industry executives said on the same day that their products had encountered "delays" in customs clearance at Chinese ports, and considered this to be another sign of the deterioration of trade relations between the two countries.

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Reuters report
Jeff Scott, CEO of the Australian Table Grape Association, said: "In the past three weeks, table grapes have suffered long delays at the port. There are about 400 or 500 containers, which will cost 5 more than normal. It will take 10 days to complete customs clearance."

"The fruit is refrigerated, so there is no rot, but to try to avoid delays, the goods will be shipped from one port to another, and Australian farmers will bear this part of the cost."

Scott also said that most of the delays occurred at ports in southern China, especially in Shenzhen. Exporters have not been informed of the reason for the delay, but they say that exporters from other countries have not experienced the same delay.

The Australian Table Grape Association website shows that Victoria contributes 70% of Australia's total production.

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After reviewing the blocked exports of Australian barley, beef, cotton and seafood products to China, Reuters said that the "delayed customs clearance" referred to by Australian grape growers may be the latest case.

Last year, Australia exported 152,000 tons of table grapes worth 622 million Australian dollars (about 3.13 billion yuan). According to Australian government data, China is the largest buyer of these Australian exports, buying 40% of them (about 60,000 tons).

In addition, from March 28, 2021, anti-dumping duties will be imposed on imported wines originating in Australia. On March 26, the Ministry of Commerce issued Announcements Nos. 6 and 7 of 2021, announcing the final rulings of anti-dumping and countervailing investigations on wines originating in Australia, and ruling that there are dumping and subsidies on imported wines originating in Australia. China The relevant domestic wine industry has suffered material damage, and there is a causal relationship between dumping and subsidies and material damage. The dumping margin determined in the final ruling is 116.2%-218.4%, and the subsidy margin is 6.3%-6.4%.

The Ministry of Commerce also decided to impose anti-dumping duties on relevant wines originating in Australia from March 28, 2021. The anti-dumping duties of various companies range from 116.2% to 218.4%. According to relevant regulations, in order to avoid double taxation, it has decided not to levy anti-dumping duties. Subsidy tax.

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China has also imposed restrictions on Australian coal, licorice, etc.

Prior to this, Chinese importers received a notice in October 2020 to stop buying Australian coal.

China's restrictions on Australian coal have led to the "largest decline in history" in thermal coal exports, which has dealt a blow to Australia's economy and employment.

China’s “informal restrictions” on Australian coal have dealt a heavy blow to the industry of A$6 billion. In addition, more than 20 Australian companies that export hay (oat grass) to China have expired and have not been renewed.

Quoting the General Administration of Customs published a "List of Registered Production and Processing Enterprises of Australian Oatgrass Exported to China" on June 6, 2018, it shows that, except for 3 companies that are valid until December 2023, the remaining 25 companies are valid until February this year. If these three exporters cannot be renewed before December 2023, Australian hay will completely lose the Chinese market.

In addition, Reuters mentioned in the article that the Australian Foreign Minister recently announced the tearing up of the "Belt and Road" agreement.

Australian Foreign Minister Payne announced in a statement on April 21 that the “Belt and Road” memorandum and framework agreement signed by China and Victoria, Australia had been cancelled by the federal government of that country. Payne claimed that "this agreement is not in line with Australia's foreign policy." On the same day, the Chinese Embassy in Australia issued a response, expressing strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to this behavior.