RIVERINA wine producers are holding out hope that China's recent ban on certain Australian exports will only be a short-term hurdle.
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With exports such as wine, timber and barley banned from entering China as of Friday, November 6, many of the region's wine exporters were left nervous over the loss of business.
Wagga's Borambola Wines was one company with a ship full of wine scheduled to set sail to China on the day of the ban.
"We honestly weren't sure what would happen or if it would get through," Borambola's Tim McMullen said.
"It was set to dock in China this week though, and so far, we haven't had any bad news."
Mr McMullen said their customer in China seemed able and willing to take their product, despite the ban, leaving the wine producer of the impression that the issue was simply political.
"My contact in China seems to think it is short-term, and other customers I had come through felt the same, like it was just a bit of a slap on the wrist type of situation," he said.
In other news:
There is also word that the approach of Chinese New Year celebrations will bring about a renewed reliance on the Australian wine market, according to Mr McMullen.
With many feeling the ban was a result of political tensions, Federal Member for Farrer Sussan Ley said she was confident in the government's ability to manage the situation.
"Any impact on the local industry's ability to get product to market is a concern, and of course this current uncertainty is a concern to the Federal Government," she said.
"Right now the situation still remains clouded, but I know the Minister and his department are ready to work with China on any so-called 'technical issues' they may be concerned with."
Ms Lay added that the ban, in her opinion, would not cripple the local industry.
"My understanding is most of the Riverina's larger wine producers do have some exposure to Chinese buyers but are not exclusively reliant on that market to survive and thrive," she said.