(Yicai) April 8 -- Australian wine exporters are reconnecting with customers in China and export volumes are not expected to return to 2020 levels immediately, industry insiders said after China recently lifted anti-dumping tariffs on Australian wine imports.

“It will take time for Australian wine to regain its share of the Chinese market as exporters need to re-establish ties with importers and customers,” Rob Donelly, commercial minister of the commercial counsellor's office at the Australian Embassy in China, told Yicai.

China is ending anti-dumping and countervailing duties on Australian wines from March 29, the Ministry of Commerce said recently. The imposition of such duties is no longer necessary in view of the changes in China’s wine market.

"The lifting of all duties on imports of bottled wines from Australia to China is a great outcome for Australia and the Australian wine industry,” said Donelly, who is also general manager for China at the Australian Trade and Investment Commission.

Australia will promote its wines more vigorously in the Chinese market this year, Donelly said. For example, it will lead a delegation of Chinese buyers to attend Vinexpo Asia 2024 in Hong Kong in May. Wine Australia is also planning to host a roadshow of Australian wine brands in four Chinese cities at the end of August.

“"We would not expect exports to immediately return to the same levels they were in 2020," said Martin Cole, chief executive officer of Wine Australia. "Wineries now will be prioritizing their relationships with importers, buyers and consumers in mainland China, and will be looking forward to being back in the market."

“We know that trade and consumer sentiment for Australian wine in China remains positive," Cole added.

China used to be Australia's largest wine export market. In 2019, wine exports to China reached AUD1.3 billion (USD855.4 million), more than that to the US, the UK, Canada and Singapore combined.

Last year, China sourced most of its wine from France, Chile, Italy and Spain, according to Trade Data Monitor. But imports from these countries have all fallen sharply by 29 percent, 18 percent, 31 percent and 48 percent, respectively.

Editors: Liao Shumin, Kim Taylor