China’s growing appetite for South Australian wine is creating fresh opportunities for local producers, with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay and Riesling among the varieties attracting increased spending from Chinese consumers.
Now, a contingent of South Australian wine, seafood, honey and beverage producers is preparing to head to China next week to showcase the state’s premium products at one of the world’s biggest trade exhibitions.
The trade mission, led by Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Clare Scriven, will take South Australian businesses to Shanghai for the China International Import Expo, where they will have the opportunity to connect with Chinese importers and distributors.
A special Taste of South Australia event will also be held ahead of the expo, giving producers another opportunity to put their products in front of potential international buyers.
The visit comes as China continues to be South Australia’s largest export market for primary industries, with exports growing by 26 per cent to nearly $1.9 billion in the year to August 2026.
That represents 23 per cent of the state’s total agricultural, food, wine and forestry export value.
Wine remains a major part of that relationship, with mainland China accounting for $632 million in South Australian wine exports in the year to September 2026.
According to Wine Australia, Chinese consumers are increasingly spending more on South Australian Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay and Riesling, reflecting changing preferences in the market.
And it’s not just wine attracting attention.
Mainland China has also emerged as one of the strongest export markets for South Australian honey and beverages in recent years, along with becoming an important market for local seafood outside Japan.
Minister Clare Scriven said the mission was an opportunity to build on existing relationships and create new avenues for local businesses.
“China remains a vital market for South Australian producers, which is why I am leading a delegation to help strengthen trade relationships and unlock new export opportunities,” she said.
“Our premium food, wine, seafood and beverages are highly regarded internationally, and we are proud to be able to showcase them at one of the world’s biggest trade exhibitions in the China International Import Expo.”
The week-long visit will include stops in Jinan, Weifang, Qingdao and Shanghai, with the delegation also participating in the China Fisheries and Seafood Expo in Qingdao.
Beyond showcasing South Australian produce, the mission will mark 40 years of the sister-state relationship between South Australia and China’s Shandong province.
The delegation will also explore opportunities for collaboration in agricultural technology, fisheries research, wine production, horticulture, soil science and other areas of primary production.
This includes progressing the existing partnership between the Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences and South Australia’s Department of Primary Industries and Regions through the Wine Industry Technical Collaboration Program.
“We are also celebrating 40 years of partnership between South Australia and China’s Shandong province, and the delegation I am leading will look to further collaborations in agriculture, food production and research between our states,” Minister Scriven said.
With China’s consumer preferences continuing to evolve, the mission will provide South Australian producers with an opportunity to strengthen their presence in a market already worth billions to the state’s primary industries.
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