The South Australian government has announced the Global Wine Growth Program, which will invest $3.9 million over the next two years to increase support for the state’s wine export industry.
Wine Australia’s latest Export Report showed that while the removal of import duties on Australian bottled wine sent to China has resulted in a massive surge for the industry, exports to the rest of the world have declined to the lowest value in ten years and lowest volume in over twenty years.
As ongoing challenges continue to impact the global trading environment, support for local businesses to export Australian products is vital.
South Australia is home to more than 700 wineries across 18 distinct wine regions – producing 80 per cent of Australia’s premium wine – and is responsible for 70 per cent of the country’s wine and grape research capability.
Already one of the state's largest export industries, South Australian wine accounted for more than two-thirds of Australia’s total global wine exports in the year to March 2025 – at more than $1.9 billion.
Food & Drink Business spoke with Michelle Geber in April, the managing director of Barossa Valley winery, Château Tanunda, who highlighted the importance of visibility and recognition in the wine export market.
“It’s always helpful when a country has an affiliation with Australia, it’s key to selling our products,” said Geber.
“The more aware a consumer is of Australia, the more popular our products become.”
The Global Wine Growth Program will be co-designed in partnership with the South Australian wine industry, aiming to build recognition of the state and its products on a global scale. It will target mature markets like China, the US and UK, as well as emerging wine markets like Southeast Asia.
The program expands on the substantial success of the $1.85 million Wine Exporters China Re-engagement Support Program announced in March 2024, which saw South Australia recover 90 per cent of its all-time peak wine exports to China in just one year, outperforming other states.
It is the first of several measures to be funded through an additional $5 million – announced as part of last month’s state Budget – to support South Australian industries and businesses impacted by the current global trade environment and tariffs.
South Australia trade and investment minister, Joe Szakacs, said the state is Australia’s undisputed wine capital, and the new program will ensure that the industry can adapt to changing global markets and thrive within them.
“Through the State Government’s Wine Exporters China Re-engagement Support Program and the Wine Export Diversification Program, we’ve seen the industry lift exports back to near record levels,” said Szakacs.
“Now we’re taking the next step to seize on this opportunity. Through the Global Wine Export Program, we’re increasing our investment in supporting the state’s wine sector to better connect our already world-renowned wine industry across the globe.”
