Australian opportunity to help supply China’s top drink
Research is underway to help Australian farmers better understand Chinese customers’ needs for sorghum, the key ingredient in baijiu, China’s national drink and the world’s top-selling spirit.
Researchers from the Australian Export Grains Innovation Centre (AEGIC), the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation – an institute of the University of Queensland jointly supported by the Queensland Government – and the Functional Grains Centre at Charles Sturt University are working to identify the quality and varieties of sorghum that are best suited to the China market.
Funded by AEGIC and the Grains Research and Development Corporation, the research will focus on a better understanding of sorghum grain in baijiu production and the quality of grain best suited to Chinese consumer tastes.
The research is being undertaken in eight locations within five provinces to capture manufacturer and consumer preferences in different regions of China.
“Quality baijiu is a premium product, with the most expensive bottles valued at hundreds of thousands of yuan,” said Christina Goodman, Austrade’s Trade Commissioner in Chengdu.
“Taste and reputation are key to market share and top Chinese manufacturers value consistent, quality supply. While Australia’s clean, green reputation and ability to supply counter-seasonal products are well known, it’s challenging to differentiate Australian products and maintain market share in bulk commodity markets. The Australian research will help narrow down the specific attributes of sorghum that could contribute to high-quality baijiu,” added Goodman.
Made in China for more than 5,000 years, baijiu is the most widely drunk liquor in the world. It makes up one-third of the world’s total liquor output and is worth an estimated US $23 billion annually.
Baijiu is primarily distilled from fermented sorghum and Australian sorghum exports peaked in 2015 at over AUD $500 million.
Chinese baijiu manufacturers have increased their use of Australian sorghum and Chinese producers also used sorghum in animal feed as a substitute for corn during a period of high corn prices. In addition, sorghum exports benefited from tariff reductions under the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement.
The researchers are also working to better understand the opportunities for using Australian sorghum in animal nutrition.
Austrade, which has 10 offices across China, is supporting the research by providing introductions to Chinese spirit manufacturers, organising and accompanying site visits, interpretation and translation.
Read more about the sorghum research being undertaken by AEGIC and its partners.
Find out more about agribusiness opportunities in China.
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