Italian table grapes are headed to the Southern Hemisphere. The South African Government News Agency confirmed the approval of a technical agreement that opens the door to the highly restricted South African market. Grapes will be the first commodity to test the protocol, with apples and pears expected to follow.
Officials confirmed the agreement during a bilateral meeting between Italy's Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry, Francesco Lollobrigida, and South Africa's Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, on the sidelines of the South Africa-Italy Agribusiness Forum in Cape Town.
The two governments said the deal will support agricultural trade and broader economic cooperation. Lollobrigida said the agreement represents a significant development for Italy's fruit and vegetable sector.
"The opening of the South African market to Italian table grapes recognizes the excellence and quality of our products and confirms the effectiveness of our diplomatic and commercial efforts," Lollobrigida said.
Officials noted that complementary production seasons could support greater year-round trade collaboration.
The announcement came during the inaugural South Africa-Italy Agribusiness Forum.
Speaking at a gala dinner hosted by the Italian delegation at Idiom Wine Estate in the Cape Winelands, Steenhuisen said the occasion highlighted opportunities for increased cooperation in trade, investment and agricultural innovation.
"Throughout the day, I saw business leaders exchanging ideas, researchers making new connections, and people from two different countries discovering how much they have in common," Steenhuisen said.
Steenhuisen said long-term bilateral cooperation depends not only on formal agreements but also on relationships built through shared experiences and mutual understanding.
"Agriculture is ultimately a people business. It may involve technology, machinery, science and innovation, but at its heart, it is still about people,” the government official said.
He said South Africa and Italy share strong agricultural traditions and a commitment to innovation, creating a foundation for future collaboration across the sector.
“In both South Africa and Italy, agriculture has helped shape landscapes, sustain rural economies, and create traditions passed from one generation to the next. Those shared values provide a strong foundation for the partnership we are building,” Steenhuisen said.
On August 12, 2026, Monticello Conference Center, in Santiago, Chile, will host a new edition of the Global Grape Convention.
Organized by Yentzen Group, Frutas de Chile, Provid, Global Grape Group, and Mexico Table Grapes, the event will bring together leading international experts in an unmissable day of strategic content, key trends, and high-level analysis to anticipate market challenges.
The convention is a unique platform to connect with buyers, distributors, exporters, and retail leaders, generating real business opportunities and strengthening networks in a highly specialized environment.
For more info, contact events@yentzengroup.com
Tickets available at globalgrapeconvention.com
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