Cider makers’ cheers to trade possibilities
A TOP Tasmanian cider maker expects to reap the rewards of a cross-national deal which could open up greater opportunities for Australian farmers.
If Brexit goes ahead, Britain expects to create a free trade agreement with Australia.
The deal would likely benefit Australian agricultural products exported to the UK which have long been met with European Union tariffs.
Willie Smith’s head cider maker Tim Jones said the apple growing company had already been exploring an export opportunity in the UK but the free trade agreement “might be what we need to get it across the line”.
“We started looking at exports in the last couple months and we are looking at the UK very closely,” Mr Jones said. “So this may be the catalyst that we need.” In Tasmania for a research visit yesterday, Tom Oliver, of England’s Oliver Cider and Perry, said there was a demand for premium cider in the UK.
“For us in the UK, there is a real appetite for cider with a strong identity and great taste values,” he said.
“The more good cider we can get, the better it is, and Australia is very much an untapped market for us in that sense, so we would really welcome great cider from Tasmania.”
Mr Oliver said he hadn’t considered Australia as a target market for his product but said future opportunities could arise.
“There is more mass-market UK cider available in Australia but the more premium cider hasn’t shown up yet. As with all trade agreements you hope it’s a two-way thing.”