Australian Grape & Wine

AUSTRALIAN GRAPE & WINE FOOD AND DRINK

A GLASS HALF FULL A P P R OAC H Managing a behemoth operation such as Australia’s wine exports is as rewarding as it is challenging. Tony Battaglene, CEO at Australian Grape & Wine, provides more in-depth focus Writer: Ed Budds | Project Manager: Sam Love

T

he Australian wine industry is one of the world’s largest exporters in its field, with approximately 800 million out of the 1.3 billion litres produced annually exported to overseas markets for global consumption.

As one of the world’s true juggernauts in this industry, wine is a significant contributor to the Australian economy, through a combination of production, employment, exports, and tourism.

Australian Grape & Wine (AGW) 2 | APAC Outlook issue 56

Tony Battaglene, CEO

is Australia’s national association of grape and wine producers. It is a declared winemakers’ and grape growers’ organisation, under Section 5A and 5B of the Wine Australia Act 2013. Funded through voluntary membership fees, AGW has a responsibility to develop strategy, implement policy and advocate on behalf of the sector.

Wine is produced in every state of the country, with more than 60 designated wine regions totalling approximately 160,000 hectares,

however, Australia’s wine regions are mainly found in the southern, cooler parts of the nation.

For Tony Battaglene, CEO of AGW, after navigating a vast array of careers, including roles in research, policy development, fund management and industry liaison, these experiences led to the development of additional expertise in natural resource management, industry restructuring, intellectual property, biosecurity, legislation, trade and market access and

industry-government relations.

“I joined the Winemakers Federation of Australia in 1999 and established the Canberra Office. This role included developing and implementing a comprehensive market access strategy, overseeing biosecurity, research and development and industry policy. A strong international focus has also resulted in developing key networks with competitors and other industries to further the interests of the Australian wine sector,” opens Battaglene.

“Formed in 2019, from the merger of Australian Vignerons and Winemakers Federation of Australia, I was appointed as the inaugural CEO. I have always been interested in agriculture and the wine sector was therefore a natural fit.”

CHALLENGES WITHIN THE INDUSTRY Grape prices in 2022 have fallen sharply, due to a sudden drop in demand for Australian wine. For all grape growers without pre-existing APAC Outlook issue 56 | 3

AUSTRALIAN GRAPE & WINE FOOD AND DRINK

contracts, there are now very limited options available going forward, which presents many complications in terms of sustaining a successful business. The large volume of 2021 vintage has added to this challenge, with excess wine in tanks, barrels and

bottles, further squeezing domestic margins.

“COVID-19-generated freight and logistics issues have compounded the supply-demand imbalance. For many growers, this will drive them into insolvency, and structural adjustment

AUSTRALIA GRAPE AND WINE MEMBERSHIP SYSTEM AGW has a voluntary membership system, and offers five categories of membership for all participants in the Australian wine sector.

• WINE PRODUCER - An organisation that produces wine in Australia or has wine produced for them from their own grapes, or purchases grapes or wine in Australia from another person for sale under their own brand.

• VIGNERON - An organisation whose principal business is growing grapes in Australia on a commercial basis for use in the production of wine.

• JOINT MEMBERSHIP WITH QUEENSLAND WINE INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION (QWIA) - Available to small wine producers in Queensland (up to 2,000 tonnes) to become members of both organisations.

• CONTRACT GRAPE AND WINE PROCESSORS - An organisation whose principal business is to produce wine in Australia for another person/business from third party grapes.

• AFFILIATE MEMBERSHIP - An organisation or individual who is closely associated with the wine industry, but their primary business is not as a Vigneron or Wine producer.

4 | APAC Outlook issue 56

will be required if we cannot find new markets. The damage will be felt across Australia and will put pressure on rural communities relying on the wine sector,” explains Battaglene.

The 2022 vintage is considered to be around the long-term average, but the stock-to-sales ratio remains difficult, with logistic issues slowing clearance internationally. Inflationary pressures are also adding significant cost and will inevitably impact on demand, as interest rates move in the short to medium term.

“We are pleased to note that through the assistance provided by the Agribusiness Expansion Initiative, this work is well underway, and the 2022 vintage will add further challenges to the sector.”

The fall in grape prices, difficulty in moving stock offshore, high costs of production due to labour, and logistic costs will mean high stock-tosales ratios for 2023. This will mean added price pressure on growers too, resulting in a difficult and challenging time for the sector, but potentially also incredibly rewarding to be driving the strategy.

SUSTAINABLE AMBITIONS “Sustainability is the buzzword in the industry now. Customers and consumers are demanding that all businesses demonstrate their credentials in terms of environmental, ethical and social footprint.

Sustainability is a great opportunity and also a great challenge.”

Battaglene believes that the sector needs to set far more ambitious targets to reach net zero emissions.

2050 is no longer good enough and AGW needs to set a roadmap to reach this target by 2035. Waste is also an enormous issue for the country and requires a new approach for the entire supply chain.

“If we do this right, sustainability could be a major boost to our wine brand value and deliver for the planet.

AGW is the only body in Australia with

OVERVIEW OF AGW AGW works to create a political, social and regulatory environment across a production and supply chain that facilitates: • Profitable and sustainable grape and wine businesses in both the domestic and export environment • Vibrant rural and regional communities As the national association for Australia’s grape and wine producers, AGW leads and represents the sector’s interests by: • Understanding and supporting Australia’s wine and grape growers • Brokering and promoting united positions, in support of, and backed by, a diverse sector • Basing policy on sound economic principles targeted at improving the economic welfare of the sector • Developing and implementing strategy to support the sector • Collaborating with state and regional associations and members

a national remit whose sole objective is the betterment of the Australian Grape and Wine Sector.”

Sustainable Winegrowing Australia (SWA) is the national programme for grape growers and winemakers, created to demonstrate and continuously improve their sustainability in the vineyard and winery through the environmental, social and economic aspects of their businesses. This programme takes a holistic approach to managing, supporting and promoting sustainability. It is administered by the Australian Wine Research Institute with governance, endorsement, and active support from AGW and Wine 6 | APAC Outlook issue 56

Australia. These three organisations form a joint steering committee to oversee the programme, with agreed activities set out in an Annual Operating Plan. SWA is modelled on global best practices and aligned to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, with progress towards these monitored annually.

This programme is growing in membership every day and delivering real benefits for the planet.

CHALLENGES FOR THE FUTURE “We need to find a home for premium red wine that was destined for China, and there is no market that can take up this slack in the short term.

• Building trust and partnerships with government departments and politicians • Maintaining and building the capability to respond to a wide range of issues • Strongly advocating policy positions for the long-term sustainability of the sector

AUSTRALIAN GRAPE & WINE FOOD AND DRINK

“A G W I S T H E O N LY B O D Y I N A U S T R A L I A W I T H A N AT I O N A L R E M I T W H O S E S O L E OBJECTIVE IS THE BETTERMENT OF THE AU ST R A L I A N G R A P E A N D W I N E S E C TO R ” – T O N Y B AT TA G L E N E , C E O , A G W

“Unlike many of our key competitors, Australia’s export success story has not been driven by subsidies, or a comparatively lower cost base,” continues Battaglene.

“We know there is no single market, or collection of markets, that will fill the China gap, but that diversification of markets will be critical to the sector’s growth in the future.”

As highlighted by Battaglene, science, innovation, and collaboration has driven AGW’s rise to become a key player within the world’s fifth largest wine exporting nation. Market diversification may be geographic or demographic and requires new

strategies that lead to the understanding of consumer drivers, identification of opportunities, product development and improved access to markets.

While there is a short-term imperative, a long-term strategy is essential to the future of AGW and the Australian wine industry.

“Although we have a small team, they are dedicated to the sector. We empower them to make decisions and input into the strategic direction of the sector. Responsibility lies with the CEO, but we have open forums to ensure decisions are collectively understood and owned by all,” Battaglene concludes proudly.

www.agw.org.au APAC Outlook issue 56 | 7

AUSTRALIAN GRAPE & WINE www.agw.org.au PRODUCED BY APAC OUTLOOK MAGAZINE