During an event last week in Shanghai aimed at connecting Australian businesses with Chinese importers and distributors, officials and executives stated that Australian companies are actively looking to expand their presence in the Chinese market.

During the event, over 30 South Australian brands showcased more than 100 products, such as wines, meat, seafood, beverages and dairy products.

John Williams, consul-general of Australia in Shanghai, said, we're opening the way for business and all the other ties between us to continue to flourish. It's a pragmatic approach, and I know it is welcomed by businesses in both countries given the strong complementarity between our economies and the potential for further growth in trade," said Williams.

China has become the world's largest consumer market for imported food, with the total import value hitting $138.6 billion in 2023, according to the China Chamber of Commerce of Import and Export of Foodstuffs, Native Produce and Animal By-Products (CFNA).

"Led by grain, meat, and dairy products, the food imports from Australia were eye-catching in the first quarter of this year. The value of Australian food imports in Q1 reached $2.5 billion, up 12.5 percent year-on-year," said Ma Haihua, director of the CFDA, at the event.

Among them, Australian wine imports recorded a total import value of $10.45 million, said Ma.

Ma also said that Australian wine businesses are facing several challenges on their way back to the Chinese market, including reshaping consumer habits.

However, despite the challenges, Australian wine businesses are still quite positive about the future prospects in the Chinese market.

Bec Hardy Wines, a family-owned and operated wine business in McLaren Vale, South Australia, is one of them.

Making its entry to China in the 2000s, Bec Hardy Wines lists the Chinese market in its top three markets.

"Chinese consumers are currently a bit more price-sensitive than in the past, and they are open for more and diverse choices instead of fixing their eyes on big brands only. So we see such a trend a new opportunity for us, and we hold a very positive future view in the Chinese market," said Bian Jiahua, export manager of Greater China at Bec Hardy Wines.

In addition to wines, Australian businesses in other sectors are also confident in the Chinese market and actively seeking their presence.

Brandon Reynolds, chief operating officer of The Yoghurt Shop, has visited China several times over the past 12 months to learn more about the market and consumers, and he is excited to bring their reputable yogurt products to China later this year.