Beautiful Plants For Your Interior
The agreement for the entry of South African stone fruits into the Chinese market was signed on October 15, marking a new starting point for South African stone fruit exports to China.
On October 14, a South African agricultural delegation led by Minister of Agriculture H.E. Mr. John Steenhuisen visited Shanghai. At the import-export roundtable held that evening, he stated that both China and South Africa are BRICS countries, and in the current unfavorable global trade environment, it is necessary to strengthen trade exchanges between member countries. “This is my third visit to China, aimed at meeting with Sun Meijun, Director General of the General Administration of Customs of China, to complete the access approval for stone fruits (plums, peaches, prunes, nectarines, and apricots) to the Chinese market. We will also discuss and accelerate market access for cherries and blueberries, with the goal of completing negotiations by 2026.”
According to Mr. Steenhuisen, the trade and business sectors of China and South Africa are negotiating to ensure a 0% tariff on all products exported from South Africa to China, aiming to enhance the competitiveness of South African fruits in the Chinese market.
Among South Africa’s 54,000-hectare orchards, 70% of the deciduous fruit yield comes from apples and pears, while the remaining 30% consists of stone fruits (peaches, plums, apricots, etc.). South African peaches and nectarines (mainly yellow-fleshed nectarines) have an annual output of about 182,000 tons, and plums about 93,000 tons. Currently, South African stone fruits are mainly exported to the EU, the UK, and the Middle East. Located in the Southern Hemisphere, South Africa’s seasons are opposite to those of China. The export period for South African stone fruits runs from October to March or April of the following year, coinciding with China’s winter and spring seasons, and traditional festivals such as the Spring Festival and New Year, thus meeting Chinese market demand off-season.
In 2024, South Africa’s fruit production is approximately 6.23 million tons, with exports of 3.8 million tons. It is currently the 15th largest fruit producer in the world and the second largest in the Southern Hemisphere after Argentina. In addition, 61% of all fruits produced in South Africa are exported to about 90 countries worldwide.
Data from Chinese Customs show that, in 2024, South Africa’s fruit exports to China reached $490 million. Since signing the Belt and Road cooperation memorandum with China in 2015, South Africa’s exports have grown at a CAGR of 12.5% over the past decade. By category, in 2024, South African citrus exports to China reached $130 million, accounting for 35% of China’s imported citrus, making South Africa the largest citrus supplier to China. Apple exports reached $19 million, making South Africa the second-largest supplier of apples to China. To date, South Africa has obtained Chinese customs quarantine access for five types of fruits—citrus, grapes, apples, fresh pears, and avocados—with over 5,100 fruit producers registered in China.
On October 14, the South African agricultural delegation focused on inspecting Shanghai Huizhan Fruit and Vegetable Market, a key fruit import distribution center in East China, and held friendly exchanges with market representatives to deepen agricultural trade cooperation. Mr. Steenhuisen pointed out during the discussions that China is an important export destination for South African agricultural products. The South African government is enhancing food safety standards and improving the plant quarantine system to provide higher quality agricultural products for Chinese consumers. He emphasized, “This visit aims to build a communication bridge between governments and enterprises, promoting more efficient entry of South African fruits and vegetables into the Chinese market.”
Regarding his first visit to Shanghai, Mr. Steenhuisen told international fruit and vegetable reporters that Shanghai is the main port for South African imported agricultural products (mainly fruits) entering China. “The cityscape here is magnificent, the people are very enthusiastic, and we hope more people can taste the delicious fruits of South Africa.”