ChAFTA a Sweet Deal for Australian Beekeepers
Apiarist Lindsay Bourke in clover fields at Symmons Plains, northern Tasmania. Picture: Chris Crerar
Australian honey producers are increasingly reaping the benefits of lower tariffs to China through the China Australia Free-Trade Agreement (ChAFTA), which will celebrate its first anniversary tomorrow. ChAFTA has already cut tariffs on honey imports from 15 % to 9%, allowing beekeepers such as Tasmanian Lindsay Bourke to gain extra sales and meet growing demand from Chinese consumers.
“Even though there has been a downturn economically in agriculture, our exports have still been up 18% more than previous years, so it certainly helps us with our sales" Bourke told The Australian. In January 2017, tariffs will be further reduced down to 6%, a move that will facilitate the expanding trade relationship between the two nations.
