After many years of negotiations between the U.S. and Australian governments, the first shipments of stone fruit (peaches and nectarines) from the United States (California) began arriving in Australia in late July 2013. This development is a win for consumers, wholesalers, retailers, growers and supply chain partners resulting in additional business at a traditionally slower time of year.
After many years of negotiations between the U.S. and Australian governments, the final Import Risk Analysis for access to all states of Australia for U.S. stone fruit (peaches, nectarines, plums and apricots) from California and the Pacific Northwest was published on July 18, 2013. The first shipments of peaches and nectarines began arriving in Australia in late July 2013. Shipments during the first 10 days of trade were estimated at
approximately 30,000 9kg boxes.
Based on the success of U.S. cherries in Australia since the market opened in 1999 (Australia is now ranked as the 7th largest export market for U.S. cherries), industry expects exports of stone fruit to reach 3,000 MT for each variety in the long term with a total value of $50 million per year, especially if plums are added to the mix.
This development is a win for exporters, consumers, wholesalers, retailers, growers, and supply chain partners. Beyond the fact that a brand new market for U.S. stone fruit exporters is now open in Australia, retailers, especially specialist fruit and vegetable greengrocers, will benefit by attracting additional business at a
traditionally slower time of year. Others involved in the distribution chain, such as importers, wholesalers,
transport and food service, for example, will also see more business.
