Factsheet – EU-Australia Free Trade Agreement: Working for EU farmers

ELIMINATING IMPORT DUTIES ON ALL EU AGRI-FOOD EXPORT TO AUSTRALIA 

In 2024, the EU had a positive trade balance with Australia for agri-food products of €2.3 billion.

European farmers and food businesses will see new business opportunities in Australia, as the free trade agreement removes all tariffs on EU agri-food exports.  

Tariffs will go down to zero on all products, including for key EU export products, such as wines (including sparkling wine), chocolate, sugar confectionary and ice cream.  

Pasta and preparations of cereals €460 million   4-5% 0 Preparations of fruit and vegetables €377 million 5% 0 Chocolate and sugar confectionary  €355 million 5% 0 Wines and vermouths €327 million 5% 0 Cheeses    €249 million  AUS$ 1.220/kg for cheeses (approx. 11%)  0 Food preparations €244 million 4-5% 0 Spirits and liquors €150 million    5% 0 Other beverages €118 million 5% 0 Ice cream €29 million 4% 0 PROTECTING THE EU’S FINEST FOOD AND DRINK PRODUCTS 

The deal expands the protection of traditional EU food and drink products, directly via the agreement, and through the adoption of an EU-like system of protection for Geographical Indications in Australia that currently does not exist (except for wines). So with this agreement, Australia is becoming a ‘GI like-minded’ partner. 

The EU protects the names of specific food and drink products whose qualities are closely linked to the area of production through ‘Geographical Indication’ (GI) status.Such protection helps make these products more distinct, which will allow producers to strengthen their market positions in Australia and to sell for a premium price.The agreement will protect 165 agricultural and food GIs and 231 spirit drink GIs, including some of the most renowned such as Comté, Irish Whiskey, Queso Manchego, Salam de Sibiu, Istarski pršut ham, Lübecker Marzipan, and Masticha Chiou, which will now be protected in Australia.The agreement foresees the opportunity for both parties to add more GIs in the future. Wine  

The EU and AUS have also agreed on a modernised bilateral agreement on wine, which will offer: 

A review and update of the full list of EU wine GIs and Traditional Terms protected in Australia, building on the previous successful agreement, which will offer protection for all EU wine GIs including the addition of around 50 new GIs from 12 different Member States.Protection for the GI ‘Prosecco’, preventing Australian producers to export wines using this term after a transition period of 10 years from the entry into force of the new agreement. The term could continue to be used in Australia as a varietal name, with strong labelling disciplines in order to avoid the consumer being misled about the true origin of the wine.Simplified recognition of international winemaking practices.