Wine Industry

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD (14:59): My question is to the Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment. Will the minister give the council an update on South Australia's wine export situation?

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment) (14:59): I thank the honourable member for his ongoing interest in our great economy and also the great industry of the South Australian wine industry. We have a lot to be proud of in South Australia, being the home of a thriving, world-class wine industry. It is certainly one, I think, that stands head and shoulders above the rest of the nation with the quality of the wine we produce and the value it is to our economy.

Of course, we are a member of the Great Wine Capitals. Our 18 wine producing regions are internationally renowned for exceptional quality, which is reflective of South Australia, as I said, producing 50 per cent of Australia's bottled wine and almost 80 per cent of the country's premium wine.

Wine remains South Australia's largest export. In the 12 months to June 2019, South Australian wine exports increased to $1.796 billion. This growth comes despite a decrease in export volume of 6 per cent, with the 2018 vintage not as large as the record-breaking one in 2017. It shows that wine drinkers across the world are willing to pay more for South Australian wine than ever before. The growth has been shared across the state, according to Wine Australia, and the value of wine exports labelled as Barossa Valley increased by 29 per cent or $120 million in the year to June.

But there has also been significant growth in regions such as Langhorne Creek, up 23 per cent, and Limestone Coast, up 22 per cent. Additionally, wines labelled as coming from the McLaren Vale and Clare Valley regions saw growth of 11 per cent or $101 million and $30 million in exports respectively.

With most of our other markets remaining steady, wine exports to China are continuing to grow, with bottled wine reaching $627 million of value for the same period. This is up 12 per cent from the $560 million recorded for the same time last year. Results like these continue to justify the government's decision to open a new trade office in Shanghai and help South Australian businesses generate new business through trade.

Proving yet again South Australia's credentials as Australia's wine capital, last week Adelaide hosted the 1,500 industry delegates at the 17th Australian Wine Industry Technical Conference. At the event, the Premier launched a new program for wine and tourism start-ups called 'Foment—SA's Wine and Tourism Tech Revolution'. Foment will run in partnership with Flinders University's New Venture Institute and business growth specialists Hydra Consulting to help start-ups in the industry take advantage of new advanced technologies. This latest investment by the Marshall government into the wine industry will bring entrepreneurs, technology and the industry together to ensure the continued growth of South Australia's wine and tourism sectors.

Our wine sector has a global reputation for excellence, and we are seeing sustained and diverse investment into the industry, demonstrating confidence in both the sector and the outlook for South Australia's economy. A strong wine industry generates increased exports, strengthens our global reputation for premium food and drives more tourists to South Australia. The Marshall Liberal government will continue to support this critical industry to create more jobs and wealth for South Australia.