On June 21, 2013, at the request of the domestic industry, the Australian Productivity Commission filed a survey on safeguards for imported processed fruits. The products involved include: (1) canned citrus fruits (customs code 2008.30.00); (2) canned pears (customs code 2008.40.00); (3) canned apricots (customs code 2008.50.00); (4) canned peaches, including nectarines (customs code 2008.70.00); (5) canned assorted fruit (customs code 2008.40.00). 97); (6) others (customs code is 2008.99.00). The Australian Productivity Council will submit the final investigation report to the government within 6 months.

 

Australia's investigative authorities pointed out in their announcement that New Zealand and Singapore were excluded from the investigation under the Australia-New Zealand Close Economic Relations Agreement and the Australia-Singapore Free Trade Agreement.

 

Currently, Australia's main importers of canned fruits are China and South Africa. The smaller exporters to Australia include Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Greece, Italy, the Philippines, Spain, Thailand, Turkey and the United States.

 

The following is the industry data released by Australia:

 

(1) The import of canned citrus increased from 550 tons in 2000/01 to 1163 tons in 2011/12. The main import countries were China (65%), Brazil (21%) and Spain (4%). The output of fresh citrus fruits (including oranges, citrus, lime, lemon and grapefruit) decreased from 780,000 tons in 2000/01 to 430,000 tons in 2009/10.

 

(2) Imports of canned pears increased from 60 tons in 2000/01 to 2,100 tons in 2011/12. Canned pears imported from China accounted for about 65% of Australia's total imports of such products, 15% from South Africa and 8% from New Zealand. Domestic pear (fresh and processed) production decreased from 169,000 tons in 2000/01 to 95,000 tons in 2009/10. Tons, 2010/11 returned to 123 thousand tons.

 

(3) until the year of 2010/11, the import volume of apricot canned has been relatively stable. Canned apricots imported from Turkey accounted for 45% of Australia's total imports in 2011/12, 28% from South Africa and 24% from China. Domestic production of fresh apricots for various purposes decreased from about 21,000 tons in 2000/01 to just over 13,000 tons in 2010/11.

 

(4) Before 2000/01, imports of canned peaches and nectarines were less than 500 tons, but there was a significant increase in 2004/05. In 2011/12, about 9,300 tons of canned yellow peaches were imported, with South Africa accounting for 40%, China for 30%, Greece for 18%, and Chile for 8%.

 

(5) Canned assorted fruit produced or preserved increased from about 830,000 litres in 2000/01 to 7.8 million litres in 2010/11. China is a major importer, accounting for 43% of total imports, and South Africa is 23%.