Presented by:-

David Hunt-Sharman, David Hunt-Sharman,

Acting Chief Executive, Acting Chief Executive,

Australian Table Grape Association Inc.Australian Table Grape Association Inc.

Telephone: 03 9210 9410Telephone: 03 9210 9410 Fax: 03 9210 9411 Fax: 03 9210 9411

Email:Email: atga@whkirkness.com.auatga@whkirkness.com.au

The Import Risk Analysis Process

- its impact on the Australian Table Grape Industry….

The IRA process in 1999 was a wake-up call to the table grape industry that we no longer had the luxury of domestic and export markets but were now participants in the World market of which Australia is part.

This required a quantum leap in the table grape industry’s approach to evaluate where our industry was placed on the World stage.

The relevance of our Australian market.

The significance of the Import Risk Analysis Handbook and its procedures.

The understanding of “an Appropriate Level of Protection”

The principles of SPS agreements and what is a Bilateral Trade Protocol?

What to industry were the mind games of bureaucracy.

The science of exotic pests and disease

World Production of Table Grapes, 2000

South Africa

5%

Australia2%

Argentina2%

Greece6%

Italy27%

France2%

United States15%

Mexico2%

Chile23%

Spain6%

Turkey6%

Japan4%

Timing of Table Grape Production in Selected Countries

J F M A M J J A S O N D

Australia Chile South Africa Italy Mexico USA

Main production Peripheral production Source: Gatrell and Gallagher, 1999.

Australia’s seasonal window is narrowing; increasingly it will lead head to head competition. Northern Australian producers are particularly under serious threat.

Shares of Australian Table Grape Production, 2001

NT2%WA

6%SA4%

QLD6%

NSW17%

VIC65%

Source: ABS, 2001 

Australian Production / Exports (tonnes)

0

10000

20000

30000

40000

50000

60000

70000

92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 0 1

Total Prod.

Exports

Australian Table Grape Export value (M$)

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 0 1

The Industry Perception

USA (California) grape imports will compete directly with northern growing areas. These imports would be a direct threat to sustainability in these areas because they rely on high early season premiums.

Chile grape imports, if approved, will be in direct competition with the growing areas of Southern Australia namely Mildura and Robinvale in Sunraysia and Renmark in the Riverland.

How do we compete with imports when 72% of production costs is the cost of labor.

No emergency plan to deal with exotic pests or diseases, which may exist in some countries. E.g. Pierce’s Disease.

The Australian Government was selling out the Australian table grape industry.

What could we as an Industry do about the situation?

The Industry Reaction to IRA for Californian Table Grapes

13 Delegates representing the six major but fragmented growing areas realized the need for cooperation and communication.

The notion that imports were inevitable was implanted in the industry outlook.

The need for Industry restructure and the establishment of a National levy to fund R&D and marketing was identified.

A strategic analysis of the Australian table grape industry was initiated – the need for a National office with adequate resources was identified.

A communication program with Biosecurity Australia was established and dissemination of all relevant information to Stakeholders was commenced.

Market Access

Into Australia From Australia Country Status Country Status

USA (California) Approved 2002 SE Asia Approved Chile South Africa

Draft IRA in circulation

Expected 2005/6

USA Canada

Approved 1992

Approved 1992 Korea Expected 2005/6 Japan Next priority for

HMAC Japan Expected 2005/6 Korea Next priority for

HMAC Italy Expected 2005/6 Mexico Expected 2006/7 China Next priority for

HMAC India No Application Yet India No Application Yet China No Application Yet EU Approved

Strategic Intent - Outlook

1. To position the Australian Table Grape Industry as a respected producer of premium quality grapes as a defensive strategy against lower price global competition, through eating quality assurance programs, product differentiation and processes of continual improvement.

2. To embark on a continual process of farm production cost reduction.

3. To reduce reliance on the SE Asian market.

4. To increase per capita consumption in the domestic market through improved eating quality and effective generic marketing.

5. To establish sustainable agricultural systems in anticipation of progressively introduced restriction and the associated costs regarding chemical and water usage.

Thank You