Australia starts audit of grape growers ahead of China entry

Australia's Quarantine and Inspection Service has begun auditing some 200 growers interested in shipping table grapes to China, local news site Weekly Times Now reported.

The audit is the latest step toward the entry of Australia's grapes into China, which was obtained through an agreement announced in October 2010. The agreement came after eight years of negotiations.

Qualified growers will also receive visits from Chinese authorities later this month in order to verify processes related to pest monitoring, field packing, andto check grower paperwork.

According to Nick Muraca, chairman of Australia's Table Grape Association, the potential for exports is estimated at AU $50 million to 100 million, but volumes will likely be much smaller the first year.

"All we are trying to do this year is introduce our product to them, get them to see it, taste it," Muraca was quoted as saying.

According to the report, Chinese buyers are most interested in Crimson Seedless, although there also had been some interest in Red Globe and Thompson Seedless.