In a significant boost for agricultural trade and market expansion, the South African government, through the department of agriculture, has recently signed a stone fruit trade protocol in Shanghai, China.
According to the department, the agreement opens the Chinese market for the first time to five types of South African stone fruit, namely apricots, peaches, nectarines, plums, and prunes. It is the first time that China has negotiated access for multiple stone fruit types from a single country under one deal.
Agriculture minister John Steenhuisen said the agreement is a major breakthrough for South African fruit producers and exporters at a time when diversification is essential for agricultural resilience.
Chinese market will create jobs in SA
“This protocol is part of a broader strategy to make South African agriculture less dependent on traditional buyers and more responsive to new consumption patterns such as China’s growing middle class, which is driving demand for high-quality agricultural products,” he said.
“The opening of the Chinese market could unlock approximately R400 million for us over the next five years, a figure which is projected to double over the next ten years. We are of the view that the inaugural 2025/26 export season can generate approximately R28 million and R54 million in 2026/27,” he said.
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The department said opening the Chinese market would allow South African producers to export more of their harvests at more sustainable prices. Stronger demand in China, together with a slight reduction in exports to other markets, is expected to drive market growth.
“Over the next decade, this protocol could create a market that will support roughly 350 new direct jobs on farms and in packhouses, and close to 600 new jobs overall once linked industries such as transport and packaging are included.”
During the visit to China, Steenhuisen encouraged trading partners to make use of the world-class Shanghai Freight Services network to leverage its extensive global logistics network for both sea and air freight, ensuring faster and more reliable delivery of South African agricultural exports to China.
“China has been South Africa’s largest trading partner for more than a decade, and our bilateral trade continues to deepen. We value China’s ongoing cooperation and the shared commitment to exploring opportunities within our agriculture sector, and we look forward to building on this partnership through future agreements that benefit both our countries,” he said.
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Growth in Eastern countries
Jacques du Preez, Hortgro general manager of trade and markets, said they are absolutely ecstatic that they have finally concluded this process that started many years ago.
“We see the Chinese market as vital to the sustainability and further growth of our deciduous fruit industry. We have experienced tremendous growth in exports to other Eastern nations, and now we are eager to supply Chinese consumers with our delicious stone fruit as well,” Du Preez said.
Meanwhile, Hortgro’s executive director, Anton Rabe, stated that gaining new markets while maintaining existing market access is a top priority for Hortgro.
“We have a multi-disciplinary team of experts addressing the growing demands and compliance issues. Most of this work remains unseen and occurs behind the scenes.
“When we achieve tangible results, such as signing a new protocol for a product, in this case, stone fruit with China, we have grounds for celebration and a reason to thank all those, both in the public and private sectors, who have worked tirelessly to reach this goal,” Rabe said.
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