South Australian agribusiness is well positioned to take full advantage of the benefits offered by the Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement (JAEPA).

Minister for Investment and Trade Martin Hamilton Hamilton-Smith said Japan is an important trade partner and South Australia’s fourth biggest export market after China, USA and India.

“In the 12 months to November 2014, South Australia exported $606 million worth of merchandise to Japan, down marginally on the previous year,” Mr Hamilton-Smith said.

Almost half of the State’s exports to Japan are sourced from the agriculture and fisheries sector. The most recent figures highlight our top exports to Japan include fish, refined petroleum, animal feed, beef, oil seeds and oleaginous fruits.

South Australian businesses will be able to take advantage of the growing Japanese market and build on the success of our primary industries,” Mr Hamilton-Smith said.

As a result of the JAEPA high tariffs on South Australian beef have been cut by 20 per cent with further tariff cuts due on 1 April. At the same time, a range of the State’s agricultural exports will enter Japan duty free, including lobsters, cherries, grapes and almonds. Duty free quotas on cheese will also come into effect.

South Australian businesses are encouraged to use the step-by-step guide to accessing preferential tariffs on exports to Japan which is available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s website.

“I urge South Australian exporters to explore the benefits of the JAEPA, so they can grow their businesses and offer greater job opportunities for South Australians,” Mr Hamilton-Smith said.

“Japanese consumers are prepared to pay a premium for top quality South Australian products. There is growing demand for our clean and green produce and we have the proven capacity to supply this.

“The JAEPA will boost export opportunities and result in guaranteed access to the Japanese market for South Australian service suppliers, especially in the education and legal sectors.

“International education is the State’s largest service export and the fourth largest export overall,” Mr Hamilton-Smith said.

For more information or to speak with a TradeStart adviser in your region:
Phone 8303 2400 or visit www.statedevelopment.sa.gov.au