THE VALUE of Queensland’s exports to China has risen significantly since China began easing restrictions on Australian trade, according to QLD premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.
Ms Palaszczuk has been leading a QLD “trade mission” in Shanghai this week at the China International Import Expo.
Queensland beef was in the spotlight at the trade event; the premier was joined by Queensland producers and exhibiters including Meat & Livestock Australia, King River Ag and Paradigm Foods.
Beef is the state’s largest agricultural export, contributing $7.1 billion dollars to the economy, with product being exported to more than 60 countries.
China is an important market for Australian beef, according to the state government, and is Queensland’s largest goods export market for the 12 months to September 2023, valued at $23.7 billion.
Ms Palaszczuk said Queensland products were receiving considerable attention in China and worldwide.
“The easing of trade restrictions has seen Queensland’s goods export market to China rise by 35% in the last 12 months, so it’s mutually beneficial for further stabilisation in this space,” she said.
“I’m confident that over the coming years the demand in China will only continue to increase.”
Toowoomba based Mort & Co CEO Stephen O’Brien said China’s direct chilled beef imports had increased dramatically in the past decade, with Australia supplying the vast majority.
“We know the demand will continue to grow, and Australia is well placed to deal with growing competition in this market,” he said.
“The support from the Queensland Government and Trade Investment Queensland helps us to open new opportunities and remove current barriers to ensure China remains one of Australia’s largest chilled beef export markets.”
In 2022-23 Queensland’s top goods export commodities to China were metalliferous ores ($2.3 billion), non-ferrous metals ($1.6 billion), coal ($1.5 billion) and cereals ($1.1 billion).
