The China Commerce Ministry has officially commenced its Australian wine tariff review, with the results expected in late 2024.

“The Ministry of Commerce will carry out a review in accordance with the law to fully protect the rights of all stakeholders,” Shu Jueting, a commerce ministry spokesperson, told a regular news conference in Beijing, according to Reuters.

“We will adjudicate objectively, fairly and openly based on the claims of each interested party and after examining the evidence,” she said.

State media reports suggested the China wine tariff review should end before November next year.

“This is good news for the thousands of Australians who work in the wine industry,” a spokesperson from the Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell’s office said.

China agreed in October to review the tariffs it imposed on Australian wine, following the decision in March 2021 to apply duties of up to 218.4% on most Australian wine exporters, following allegations of dumping of wines in China.

The decision saw trade worth $898 million in 2020 plummet to just $8.1 million in the year to June 2023.

Australian Grape & Wine CEO Lee McLean said he welcomed the announcement that China has agreed to expedite a review of its wine import duties. 

“It has been a very difficult time for Australia’s grape growers and wine producers in recent years following the loss of China as our major trading partner, the global pandemic and various weather events, so this is very welcome news for grape growers and winemakers across the country,” he said.