Australian winemakers hopeful of breakthrough on $1.2bn China trade but still plan to diversify markets

McLaren Vale, South Australia. Winemakers are hoping China’s import tariffs on their products may soon be lifted. Photograph: MarkPiovesan/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Australian wine producers hope Beijing could soon remove tariffs that slashed the $1.2bn trade by 99% – but say they are wary about relying too heavily on the Chinese market.

After the Australian government announced a deal with China that could lead to the scrapping of tariffs on barley within months, wine producers also expressed cautious optimism.