Bunnamagoo Estate Wines has been used as a shining example of positive export growth, across NSW.

Trade Minister, Niall Blair visited the Mudgee vineyard on Thursday to highlight the positive increase – with the business expected to double its 2016 volumes into China.

From small beginnings four years ago when exporting represented five percent of the company’s business, export activities now account for more than 25 per cent of the operation.

“There is a huge global appetite for high-quality products and services produced here in regional NSW,” Mr. Blair said.

“It’s fantastic to see companies like Bunnamagoo in Mudgee reap the rewards of expanding their business into international markets.

It’s fantastic to see companies like Bunnamagoo in Mudgee reap the rewards of expanding their business into international markets- NSW Trade Minister, Niall Blair

“China, in particular, presents a significant opportunity for winemakers, ABS statistics show in 2015-16 NSW wine exports to China grew 33 percent to $43 million.”

Winemaker, Robert Black agrees to say “I think we’re only just seeing what China can do.”

“There is certainly massive opportunity in China, and if all the promises come to fruition we don’t have enough grapes here to supply their needs. There’s a fantastic future there if Australian producers can take advantage of it,” he said. 

Bunnamagoo Estate Wines exported 8,000 cases of wine to the Chinese market in 2016 and expects to ship more than 15,000 cases in 2017.

“They like clean wines, fruity fresh wines, they like wines with good color, wines that we should all enjoy drinking too. To them, that speaks Australian, depth of colour, and generosity of flavor,” Mr. Black said.

Estate General Manager, Stuart Hughes says the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement has really opened the door to business in China. “In the last 18 months, we’ve had approximately 23 per cent growth in export, of which 20 per cent of that is China.”

Read More at source: Mudgee guardian