Australia, through the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and Australian Grape & Wine have assumed the role of government and Industry Chair of the World Wine Trade Group (WWTG) for 2024. This leadership role places Australia at the forefront of efforts to streamline international wine trade, working towards the mutual acceptance of winemaking practices and harmonization of regulation.
Australia will host the WWTG meetings from 29 October to 1 November 2024 in Adelaide. These meetings will include an International Wine Regulatory Forum, followed by two days of WWTG meetings, and will conclude with a technical tour of the renowned Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI) and a visit to McLaren Vale. This is a fantastic opportunity for Australia to showcase our expertise and leadership in the wine industry to our international counterparts.
The WWTG is a key international partnership that unites winemaking industries and governments from across the globe to facilitate and enhance wine trade. Since its inception in 1998, the WWTG has been a driving force in reducing barriers to trade, ensuring regulatory harmonisation, and supporting the growth of the wine industry in international markets. It comprises members from major wine-producing countries, including Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Georgia, New Zealand, South Africa, the United States, and Uruguay. Observers from China, India, UK and Japan will also be in attendance during the weeks meetings.
This role is made possible by the strong partnership between Australian Grape & Wine, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Wine Australia, and the AWRI.
What’s in it for You?
For years, the WWTG has provided its members, including Australia, greater ease of trade amongst its membership through a series of key agreements on mutual acceptance and labelling. More recently the focus of the group has been in supporting the facilitation of wine trade by collectively working together on joint action to remove barriers to trade across the world. For our wine producers, simplifying trade regulations and ensuring mutual acceptance of winemaking practices, reduces the costly and time-consuming compliance burdens often faced when exporting to multiple markets.
