SYDNEY, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- Australian fruit and vegetable producers are beginning to feel the pinch from the ongoing unrest in China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), with export quantities taking a dive in recent months.
Australia's annual export trade to Hong Kong stands at around 8.8 billion U.S. dollars, making the SAR Australia's eighth largest export destination.
But according to the chair of the Australian Mango Industry Association (AMIA), Ben Martin, the demand for Aussie produce has fallen substantially in recent months.
"Given the issues they're having over there at the moment, that's having an impact on the export market over there as well," he told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation on Friday.
"It's having a significant impact on the amount of fruit that market can move, and realistically, how much fruit Hong Kong can consume."
With visitor numbers plummeting since the violent protests began, hotel and restaurant trade has also fallen dramatically in Hong Kong.
"A lot of the hotels are suffering from not as many tourists over there. It's had a huge impact on the fruit and vegetable trade through those markets," Martin said.
As a result of the dwindling export quantities, Martin said domestic Australian supermarkets will soon be flooded with extra produce, driving the price and profits down for many Aussie farmers.
"It does have an impact on the bottom line and the profitability of their business," he said.
"The longer the unrest goes for, the longer it's going to have an impact on Australian agriculture."
