AN export processing company in Sydney and Melbourne has been given the green light to export fruit to China.
Wiseway Group Limited announced in November it had received accreditation for the exporting of fruit direct to China.
It has also signed a two-year exclusive service agreement with China Marketing Solutions, a major supplier and exporter of Australian produce to China, to provide its full range of export services.
Wiseway's new purpose-built fumigation and cold treatment facilities in Melbourne and Sydney have received accreditation from Australia's Department of Agriculture and Water Resources for the exporting of fruit to China.
RELATED READING
Accreditation means Wiseway's facilities comply with China's protocols, introduced in late 2018, requiring strict compliance to phytosanitary requirements before fresh cherries, nectarines, peaches, plums and apricots can be exported to China.
This requires the perishable fruit to be subject to cold treatment and/or methyl bromide fumigation in a chamber, to ensure that the fruit export is free of any pests of quarantine concern to Chinese authorities.
Wiseway chief executive officer and co-founder, Roger Tong, said it was a significant step, enabling its customers to cater to the fast-growing demand by Chinese customers for fresh Australian fruit.
"Prior to the new requirements, direct Australian fruit exports to China were limited to local Tasmanian produce only, now this opportunity is available to exports from all over Australia," Mr Tong said.
"We are excited by the opportunities this enables for our customers to export growing volumes of perishable products to China.
"This has been delivered through our investment in our perishables business over the last few years as well as investment in our people through training and development programs to upskill our staff with the relevant qualifications."
China Marketing Solutions CEO, Dong Wang, said there is a growing market segment in China prepared to pay the highest price for the finest fruits from all over the world, including a high demand for Australian stonefruits, grapes, citrus and cherries.
"This year alone, we are expecting an export volume of over 2500 tonnes. We are excited to work with Wiseway and leverage off Wiseway's dominant positioning in the Australia to China freight market," he said.
