Australian fruit exporters will soon enjoy improved access to the Thailand market after revised import protocols were finalized.

Assistant Agriculture Minister Senator Anne Ruston, said the new conditions would make Thailand even more attractive for Australian exporters.

“Fruit exports often require a range of treatments and conditions to meet importing country requirements—an important pre-requisite to any trade with such countries,” Senator Ruston said.

“Exporters of cherries, table grapes, citrus fruit and persimmons will benefit from these new conditions. Improved treatment options will be available for table grapes, cherries and persimmons for export to Thailand and restrictions on access for some citrus varieties has been removed.

“Thailand is an important market for our fruit—in 2014–15 we exported $16 million worth of table grapes and $7 million worth of mandarins—and these conditions will help that trade continue to grow.”

Senator Ruston said reducing barriers to trade was an important priority for the government.

“About two thirds of all Australia’s agricultural production, worth more than $40 billion, is exported overseas each year so it’s important we continue to find ways to facilitate new and improved market access,” Minister Ruston said.

“Key to enhancing profitability of the sector is negotiating market access arrangements and treatment regimes that do not place an unnecessary burden on our producers.”

Source: http://www.stockandland.com.au/story/3529873/new-markets-open-for-aussie-fruit/