South Africa and China have signed a groundbreaking stone fruit trade protocol, granting South African exporters unprecedented access to the vast Chinese market.
The agreement, signed on Wednesday in Shanghai by Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen and China’s General Administration of Customs Minister Sun Meijun, opens China’s borders to five South African stone fruit varieties — apricots, peaches, nectarines, plums, and prunes — under a single accord.
It marks the first time China has extended such comprehensive access to multiple fruit categories from one nation, underscoring the depth of trust and cooperation between Pretoria and Beijing.
Describing the deal as “a major breakthrough for South African fruit producers,” Minister Steenhuisen said the agreement represents a strategic move to diversify export markets and enhance agricultural resilience amid shifting global consumption patterns. He projected that the Chinese market could unlock roughly R400 million in export value over the next five years, with the figure expected to double within a decade. The inaugural 2025/26 export season alone is anticipated to yield approximately R28 million, rising to R54 million in 2026/27. Steenhuisen also noted that the surge in Chinese demand for peaches and plums — surpassing 40 million cartons annually — positions South Africa favourably to capture a 5% share of its total fruit exports by 2032.
Beyond economic value, the agreement promises tangible social dividends. Steenhuisen said the new trade corridor is projected to create over 350 direct farm and packhouse jobs and nearly 600 additional roles across logistics and packaging sectors. He also invited a Chinese technical team to South Africa to inspect cherry and blueberry facilities, paving the way for future market access. Commending China’s infrastructure investment through the Belt and Road Initiative, he highlighted its role in improving South Africa’s rail, port, and road networks — key enablers of efficient agricultural trade. “China has been South Africa’s largest trading partner for over a decade,” Steenhuisen affirmed. “This agreement not only strengthens our economic partnership but symbolises our shared commitment to sustainable growth and mutual prosperity.”