South Africa is marking a significant milestone in agricultural trade, with the country’s first consignment of stone fruit having departed for China.
Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen, accompanied by the People’s Republic of China Ambassador to South Africa, Wu Peng, visited the Freshness First Packhouse in Franschhoek on Wednesday, 18 February, where the inaugural shipment was prepared for export.
The consignment comprises approximately 20 000 cartons of premium plums, primarily the African Delight and Ruby Star varieties. This shipment marks the official commencement of the stone fruit trade protocol, a move set to transform the local deciduous fruit industry.
Speaking at the event, Steenhuisen highlighted that the opening of this Chinese market is no longer just an aspiration, but a fundamental necessity for South Africa’s economic growth.
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“Today, the Chinese market is a strategic necessity, not merely an opportunity for South Africa’s agricultural resilience. This is a milestone that Ambassador Peng and I have worked toward together, and today I am happy that we have realised it,” the Minister said.
The export follows the signing of a bilateral trade agreement granting South African produce 0% tariff access to the Chinese market, significantly enhancing the global competitiveness of local growers.
Diversification and economic growth
China imports approximately $200 billion worth of agricultural products annually. South Africa currently holds a modest 0.4% market share.
Steenhuisen said the country aims to drastically expand its footprint, with plans to double the current R400 million export value over the next four years.
“South Africa does have the capacity to provide the quality and quantity of fruit that consumers in China will enjoy. The implementation of this stone fruit protocol will offset the immediate impact of tariffs imposed by other trading partners, particularly on plums. I am confident that our volumes into the Chinese market are going to increase tremendously,” the Minister said.
Expansion to cherries and blueberries
The plum shipment is the first phase of a broader expansion strategy.
Steenhuisen confirmed that government is in the final stages of concluding a trade protocol for cherries, with a blueberries protocol expected later this year.
He commended industry leaders, growers and packhouse staff for their tireless efforts in meeting the rigorous phytosanitary standards required to access the Chinese market, describing their efforts as instrumental in securing the breakthrough.
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