China opens doors to multiple South African stone fruits in landmark agreement

Hortgro, the organization representing the South African Deciduous Fruit Industry, has gained market access for the country's peaches, nectarines, plums, apricots, and prunes to China. Stone fruit season is already underway, meaning shipments to the Asian giant will begin soon. 

This is the first time China has negotiated access to multiple fruits from a country under a single agreement. 

The African country's Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen celebrated the agreement and, in a press release published by the country's Department of Agriculture, labeled it as "a major breakthrough for South African fruit producers and exporters." 

Steenhuisen underscored the importance of the Chinese market for the South African agricultural industry "at a time when diversification is essential" for its resilience. He emphasized the market opportunity represented by China’s growing middle class, and its great potential to "offset some of the immediate impact of the US tariffs."

China is a crucial market for South African fruit 

According to the African authorities, the Chinese market could generate nearly $23 million over the next five years, which may double in the next ten.

China’s peach and plum imports continue to grow rapidly. Last year, they totalled more than 21 million cartons of peaches and nectarines and 20 million cartons of plums, surpassing African country’s entire seasonal export volume. Hortgro says conservative projections suggest that exports to China could reach five percent of total export volumes by 2032/2033.

Over the next decade, the protocol could establish a market that supports approximately 350 new direct jobs on farms and in packhouses, as well as nearly 600 new jobs overall when linked industries, such as transportation and packaging, are considered.

“We are absolutely ecstatic that we have finally concluded this process that started many years ago,” said Jacques du Preez, Hortgro General Manager: Trade and Markets.

The African country is not stopping at apples and plums. Hortgro also announced its working to gain market access for South African cherries. The process is expected to commence in November this year, with a virtual inspection.

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