Australian apples bound for Canada under new deal

Australian growers will soon be able to export the country’s world-class apples to Canada, following negotiations between the Australian and Canadian governments to improve market access.

Canada has approved a request by the Australian government to enable a trade pathway for fresh apples without requiring fumigation or cold treatment.

The new conditions follow several years of negotiations to demonstrate Australia’s ability to manage pests of concern to Canada without requiring expensive treatments that can damage the quality of the fruit.

It is a welcome boost for an industry valued at more than $680 million, with an annual crop of close to 300,000 tonnes of fruit.

This new agreement will help expand the industry’s export potential and follows the finalisation of market access for mainland apple growers to export to China earlier this year.

The Albanese Government said it has worked tirelessly to expand opportunities for our farmers and producers to export Australia's world-class products on the international stage.

Australia now exports over 70 per cent of our agricultural, fisheries and forestry production to over 160 markets globally – the most diversified this trade has ever been.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Julie Collins said the government welcomes this improved access to the Canadian market, and the benefits local growers and producers will reap from the agreement.

“This is another example of the Albanese Labor Government continuing to provide new pathways for our produce right around the world,” she said.

“We continue to work on market access opportunities in all sectors of Australian agriculture and take great pride in being able to facilitate the trade of our world class food and fibre.”