Sydney — South African wine sellers such as recently relisted Distell are keen to enlist government’s help with trade rules that would help them sell more wine to China, but Australian wine makers have a whole different problem: their government is embroiled in a diplomatic row with Beijing that has thrown up export hurdles.
On Wednesday, Australian wine makers urged Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to visit China to resolve the diplomatic tension. The row is blamed for trade obstacles that have raised concern for an export market expected to top A$1bn ($766m) in 2018. Six Australian wine companies — including Treasury Wine Estates, the world’s biggest listed wine maker — have faced delays at Chinese customs since Turnbull complained of Chinese political interference late in 2017. Six wine makers including Treasury held talks with assistant minister for agriculture Anne Ruston on Wednesday to urge the government to do more to end the trade tension, according to a source familia...
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