South Africa has achieved a major breakthrough in agricultural trade relations with China following the signing of a stone fruit export protocol that opens the Chinese market to five South African fruit varieties — apricots, peaches, nectarines, plums, and prunes.
The agreement was signed in Shanghai by Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen and Minister Sun Meijun of China’s General Administration of Customs (GACC), marking the first time that China has granted a single country access to export multiple stone fruit types under one consolidated protocol.
This development represents a significant milestone in South Africa’s agricultural diversification strategy, aimed at expanding market access, promoting value addition, and enhancing the resilience of the farming sector.
Expanding Market Access Amid Global Trade Shifts
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Minister Steenhuisen described the agreement as “a major breakthrough for South African fruit producers and exporters at a time when diversification is essential for our agricultural resilience.”
He said the new trade arrangement forms part of government’s effort to reduce reliance on traditional export markets and to respond more effectively to shifting global consumption trends, particularly the rise of China’s middle class and its demand for high-quality, sustainably produced food.
“The access that this protocol will unlock in a vast new market such as China holds great potential and will offset some of the immediate impacts of the recent US tariffs, especially on plums,” Steenhuisen added.
According to the Department of Agriculture, the Chinese market could generate R400 million in export value over the next five years, with projections indicating that this figure could double within the next decade. For the 2025/26 season, anticipated earnings are R28 million, growing to R54 million in 2026/27 as the supply chain strengthens and export volumes increase.
Unlocking Economic Growth and Employment Opportunities
The agreement is expected to stimulate new investment in the country’s fruit-producing regions, including the Western Cape, Northern Cape, and Eastern Cape, which are home to the bulk of South Africa’s stone fruit farms.
Minister Steenhuisen highlighted that the deal will enable producers to export a larger share of their harvests at more sustainable and competitive prices. Stronger demand from China is expected to drive both domestic expansion and export diversification, encouraging the establishment of new orchards and the upgrading of packhouses.
The projected growth in production and exports is expected to create roughly 350 direct jobs in farming and processing, with an additional 600 indirect jobs across supporting industries such as packaging, cold storage, and transportation.
“Over the next decade, this protocol could create a market that supports long-term employment, skills transfer, and infrastructure investment within the agricultural value chain,” Steenhuisen said.
Building on a Foundation of Technical Cooperation
As part of the new trade collaboration, South Africa has invited a GACC technical inspection team to visit the country to assess cherry and blueberry orchards and packhouses during the current harvest season.
If the inspection process proceeds smoothly, cherry exports to China could begin within the next production cycle. This expansion would further strengthen bilateral trade cooperation in fruit exports and open new opportunities for South Africa’s high-value horticultural crops.
The technical cooperation extends to ongoing animal health and market access discussions, including efforts to resume beef exports from regions affected by foot-and-mouth disease.
Supporting Infrastructure and Trade Efficiency
Minister Steenhuisen also highlighted the importance of efficient logistics and infrastructure to fully realise the benefits of the new agreement.
He commended China’s infrastructure investments in South Africa’s ports, railways, and highways, many of which fall under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). These upgrades have helped improve market access for agricultural products, reduce transport bottlenecks, and strengthen the integration of rural producers into global trade networks.
“We encourage exporters to take advantage of the Shanghai Freight Services network, which offers world-class logistics and connectivity for both sea and air freight. This will ensure faster, more reliable delivery of South African fruit to China,” Steenhuisen said.
Consolidating a Longstanding Trade Partnership
China has been South Africa’s largest trading partner for more than a decade, with bilateral trade expanding across sectors such as mining, manufacturing, and agriculture. The new stone fruit protocol deepens this partnership by adding a new dimension of agro-trade cooperation, ensuring mutual benefit and shared prosperity.
The agreement supports South Africa’s Agricultural and Agro-processing Master Plan (AAMP) and Export-Led Growth Strategy, both of which aim to open new markets for South African products while promoting inclusive development at home.
“We value China’s continued cooperation and the shared commitment to expanding opportunities within our agriculture sector. This protocol is a foundation for future agreements that can benefit both our farmers and our trading partners,” Steenhuisen concluded.
Looking Ahead
The signing of this stone fruit protocol marks the beginning of a new phase in South Africa–China agricultural relations. It demonstrates how trade diplomacy, underpinned by strong technical cooperation and infrastructure development, can generate tangible benefits for producers, workers, and the broader economy.
With future prospects for cherries, blueberries, and other high-value crops on the horizon, this agreement places South Africa on a firmer path toward export diversification, agricultural resilience, and sustainable rural growth.