Complete acess to Japanese market for Australian grapefruit

Australian Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke welcomed the decision by Japan to allow complete market access to Australian grapefruit, and not just for fruit from fruit-fly free areas.

He said the decision by the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries allows new access for producers from all over Australia to export to the lucrative Japanese market. This result is good for producers of the sweeter red fleshed grapefruit who have invested heavily to create a product for the Japanese market.

The Japanese agreed to the imports after they were given the necessary assurance that the risk of fruit flies will be adequately managed through cold dis infestation treatment and appropriate bio security measures.

Citrus Australia Ltd's Chief Executive Officer Judith Damiani said Australian citrus producers are keen to capitalise on the new market opportunities.

Orders have already been placed for the new season starting in March. An estimated 1,500 tonnes of grapefruit will be exported to Japan in the first year, valued at approximately $1.5 million.

The long-term outlook is very promising, with demand from Japan over the next five years estimated to be around 4,000 tonnes and valued at $4.8 million annually.