ON-FARM

Australia signs TPP-11 trade deal

Agreement will remove more than 98% of tariffs in the free trade area

Kristy Moroney

This article is 8 years old. Images might not display.

The agreement will eliminate more than 98 per cent of tariffs in the free trade area.

The TPP-11 countries include Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam, creating a regional free trade area that links the Americas and Asia.

These new markets include a combined gross domestic product (GDP) of $13.7 trillion and comprise of three of our top 10 agricultural trade markets; Japan, Vietnam and New Zealand.

The signing of the trade deal would also provide preferential access for more than $5.5 billion of Australia’s dutiable agricultural exports.

Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, David Littleproud, said the trade deal would have an immediate benefit for exporters and create brand new opportunities into two new markets – Canada and Mexico.

“This trade agreement will create huge opportunities for our beef, sheep, dairy, sugar, wool, wine and horticulture producers in current and new markets,” Minister Littleproud said.

“My department is supporting industry’s efforts to improve sheep meat export arrangements to Mexico, to capitalise on Mexico’s elimination of tariffs on sheep meat within eight years of entry into force,” he said.

“Australia is seeking to regain access into Japan for blueberries and improve market access for other horticulture commodities, including mangoes.   

“Work is now underway to establish technical market access for Australian beef exports to Peru to take advantage of market access outcomes from both the TPP-11 and the Peru-Australia Free Trade Agreement.”

“Last year Australia exported around $12 billion worth of agricultural goods to the TPP-11 countries, so this is a real game changer with huge potential.”

Highlights of TPP-11 include:

  • new reductions in Japan's tariffs on beef (Australian exports worth $2.1 billion in 2016-17);
  • new access for dairy products into Japan, Canada and Mexico, including the elimination of a range of cheese tariffs into Japan covering over $100 million of trade;
  • new sugar access into the Japanese, Canadian and Mexican markets;
  • tariff reductions and new access for Australian cereals and grains exporters into Japan, including new access for rice products into Japan for the first time in 20 years;
  • elimination of all tariffs on sheepmeat, cotton and wool; and
  • elimination of tariffs on seafood, horticulture and wine.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the farming sector, brought to you by the Kondinin team.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the farming sector, brought to you by the Kondinin team.

editions

Research Report: Auto Drafters (June 2026)

This month's Research Report includes an in-depth look at five popular sheep auto drafters complemented by several Case Studies of producers using the drafters to improve their livestock management.

editions

Research Report: High Horsepower Tracked Tractors (May 2026)

Kondinin Group researchers Mark Saunders, Ben White and Josh Giumelli have inspected some of the latest high-horsepower, articulated, fixed-frame and twin-tracked tractors for this month's Research Report. It's all about getting power to the ground.

editions

Research Report: Mother Bins (April 2026)

Mother bins are an important part of on-farm grain logistics. This Research Report details 10 brands including locally-made and imported models with capacities up to 300 tonnes.

editions

Research Report: Diesels Duke It Out (March 2026)

Kondinin Group's Ben White, Mark Saunders, Josh Giumelli and Jenna Santos spent a few days evaluating four of the latest 4WD diesel utes for this month's Research Report.