Australian Grape & Wine has welcomed the announcement by the Australian Government of new and expanded market access for organic wine under equivalence arrangements with India and Japan.
The agreements mean Australian organic wine producers will face less red tape and gain improved export opportunities, with both countries recognising Australia’s organics system as equivalent for a range of products, including wine.
Australian Grape & Wine Chief Executive Lee McLean said the developments would provide producers of organic wine with a significant boost in these markets. “This is an excellent outcome for Australian wine producers, particularly those in the growing organic segment. Equivalence arrangements reduce red tape and costs, so our producers can focus on building their brands and expanding their exports in these valuable markets,” he said.
Exports of organic wine to Japan have been more than doubled over the last decade, and Mr McLean noted that the new equivalence arrangement will help maintain momentum. “Japan is already a strong and established destination for Australian wine, and this agreement ensures our organic producers are not burdened with additional regulatory hurdles that would have made it harder to compete.”
He added that India’s organic market presents a future growth opportunity. “The Indian organic market is expanding rapidly, and this agreement puts Australian producers in a strong position to meet that demand. It’s another important step in diversifying our export footprint and building resilience in our sector.”
Australian Grape & Wine looks forward to working with government and industry partners to help producers seize these opportunities, ensuring Australian organic wine continues to build its reputation internationally.
