Another round of tariff cuts will result in increased returns for everything from beef to Brussels sprouts, says Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce.
Mr Joyce said the Korea–Australia Free Trade Agreement (KAFTA) was already delivering strong export returns to Australian farmers—returns that would continue to rise with the third round of tariff cuts on January 1.
“The third round of tariff cuts will be particularly beneficial to a number of Australian agricultural exports to Korea and will allow producers and exporters to continue to build their commercial relationships in Korea,” Mr Joyce said.“Fresh, chilled and frozen beef, one of our major exports to Korea worth A$1.07 billion in 2014-15, will have the current tariff of 34.6 per cent further reduced to 32 per cent. This is down from the original pre-KAFTA level of 40 per cent.
“Nuts are becoming an important export commodity to Korea, worth over $10 million in 2014-15. Almonds in shell will have the current tariff of 6.4 per cent reduced to 5.6 per cent, and macadamia nuts will have the current tariff of 18 per cent reduced to 12 per cent.
“Table grapes will have the current tariff (for our export season) of 18 per cent reduced to 12 per cent.
“Exports of Brussels sprouts will also become more commercially attractive with tariffs being lowered to 15.4 per cent from the current 19.2 per cent. This is down from 27 per cent pre-KAFTA.”
Mr Joyce said KAFTA had provided welcome increases in export revenue for many farmers.
“There’s no doubt Australia’s clean, safe produce is in demand in Korea, with exports of agrifood products flourishing since the introduction of KAFTA—and I witnessed this first-hand on my recent visit to Korea,” Minister Joyce said.
“Exports of a whole raft of products have risen strongly — for example, Brussels sprouts and fresh cherries which have both increased by nearly 5000 per cent, albeit from a low base. The elimination of the 24 per cent tariff on cherries has resulted in exports worth $3.5 million in 2014-15.
Fresh navel oranges had also seen strong growth, with exports increasing almost 700 per cent to $486,000 in 2014-15, as well as almonds which are up over 400 per cent to $0.5 million.
“Meat exports have always been one of our biggest exports to Korea, and as well as our top export of chilled and frozen beef, shipments of lamb have increased by approximately 35 per cent,” Mr Joyce said.
“These are very pleasing results and provide options for producers to develop new supply chains and increase farmgate returns.
“Improving market access underpins profits for producers across the country, and we continue to pursue new and better opportunities overseas.
“We’ve got a strong track record of delivering better access to overseas markets for Australian exporters with our recently signed FTAs and trade partnerships across Asia and the Pacific, and we’re now working on similar agreements with India and the EU.
