Can a new plan help lift the Australian wine industry?

A new working group aims to help lift the Australian wine industry from the doldrums. 

A wine industry taskforce has been launched following following a meeting of the Commonwealth, state and territory agriculture ministers over the weekend. 

Australian Grape & Wine CEO  Lee McLean has welcomed the formation of the group as the wine industry battles against over-supply and reduced markets. 

“Australian Grape & Wine has been encouraging a coordinated and collaborative approach to deal with the challenges our sector is facing and we are pleased ministers have agreed to form this working group” McLean said.

As noted in the Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting communique, ministers agreed to establish a working group, comprising representatives of the Commonwealth, state and territory governments, Wine Australia, Australian Grape and Wine and other relevant groups as agreed by the working group, to provide recommendations to agriculture ministers to address the challenges facing growers.

“We know there are a number of regions experiencing acute financial pressure as a result of supply and demand imbalances, including the Riverland in South Australia, the Riverina in NSW, and the Murray Valley in Victoria, and it’s pleasing the group will focus on ways we can work together to relieve these pressures, in these regions” said McLean.

“Australian Grape & Wine has put a range of options to the Albanese Government ahead of the Federal Budget, including proposals to help rebalance supply, grow demand and boost regional tourism. 

“These proposals are all aimed at helping Australia’s grape growers and winemakers to find a pathway through the current challenges towards a sustainable and more profitable future.”

Ministers expect the working group to visit regions most impacted by the oversupply situation, with the group to report back by the end of April. 

Following this, the group is expected to propose to ministers actions to support improvement in the grape and wine sector and its long-term viability by July.

“The formation of this working group is a reflection of the strong working relationship Australian Grape & Wine has developed with the Australian Government” said McLean. 

“We look forward to working with ministers, officials and other industry representatives to drive a positive agenda in the best interests of grape and wine businesses.”

# Australian Grape and Wine Inc is the national association of grape and wine producers.