THE Ministry of Commerce yesterday announced its decision to launch an anti-subsidy probe on wine imports from Australia.

The probe on wines in containers holding two liters or less is expected to end before Aug. 31, 2021, but may extend to Feb. 28, 2022 under special circumstances, according to a statement on the ministry’s website.

The move was in response to a request from the China Alcoholic Drinks Association on behalf of the domestic industry, which claimed such wine imports had received subsidies from the Australian Government, the ministry said.

Related Australian wine industries or companies may have benefited from a total of 40 subsidies from the government, according to the request from the association.

The ministry also said that it would be investigating 37 subsidy items granted by the Australian Government to its wine industry players.

On Aug. 18, China launched an anti-dumping probe on wine imports from Australia.

China is the top market for Australian wine exports and is also Australia’s largest trading partner, with two-way trade worth A$235 billion (US$170 billion) last year.(SD-Agencies)