Aidan Curtis
A NEW trade deal between the South Australian Government and India is being hailed as a positive for winemakers in the Coonawarra region.
On December 29, 2022, the State Government announced it was cutting tariffs on a number of South Australian exports to India.
Tariffs on wine exports have been cut from 150 to 75 per cent for bottles over US$15, while bottles over US$5 have been cut to 100 per cent.
Coonawarra Vignerons president Dan Redman said the deal was welcome news overall in the long-term.
“It’s a new market, an emerging market, so that means it’s not going to replace China and the exports that have been stopped there,” Mr Redman said.
“It is good news that the government is working towards having these markets open up for us.
“With the sheer population there, and I think there is a growing wine culture there, maybe down the track long-term that could be a really positive market.”
Mr Redman said there were still short-term headwinds to face in the wine industry, but Coonawarra was in good shape, especially if the new market grows.
“I think any extra markets that open up and have the potential to sell wine and have a positive influence on the wine industry, that’s a good thing,” he said.
“In the long-term viability, we’re in a great spot where we’ve got great weather, a very important resource in water.
“Coonawarra is well-placed to push through these headwinds and, although India is not replacing China, it is a positive.”
Acting Minister for Trade and Investment Andrea Michaels said South Australian businesses should be able to capitalise on a number of opportunities through the tariff cuts.
“This landmark deal means improved market access and removes trade barriers to deliver a massive shot in the arm to local producers, manufacturers and retailers,” she said.
Tariffs on wines exported to India will also see staged reductions of 5 per cent per year over the next decade.
