China-South Africa Trade Blossoms as New Fruit Agreement Promises Billions in Growth
South Africa and China have inked a landmark agreement that will open the Chinese market to five types of South African stone fruit: apricots, peaches, nectarines, plums, and prunes. The deal, signed in Shanghai by Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen and China’s Customs Minister Sun Meijun, marks the first time China has granted access for multiple stone fruit varieties under a single protocol.
At the signing, Minister Steenhuisen described the agreement as “a major breakthrough for South African fruit producers and exporters” at a time when diversifying export markets is crucial. He projected that over the next five years, the protocol could unlock roughly R400 million in trade, potentially doubling in a decade. The inaugural 2025/26 export season is expected to generate around R28 million, rising to R54 million the following year.
The agreement’s impacts go deeper than trade figures. With China’s demand for stone fruit already at staggering volumes (over 21 million cartons of peaches and nectarines and 20 million cartons of plums in 2024 alone) South African exporters will now have access to a high-potential and fast-growing consumer market.
From the rural orchards to urban packhouses, this trade deal is expected to create hundreds of jobs across agriculture, logistics, and value-chain services. The government forecasts approximately 350 direct farm and packhouse jobs, and up to 600 additional jobs in supporting sectors like transport and packaging over the next decade.
To build on this momentum, Minister Steenhuisen invited Chinese customs technical teams to inspect South Africa’s cherry and blueberry orchards and packing facilities. If those inspections go smoothly, cherry access into China could be secured as soon as the next harvest cycle, further expanding fruit export opportunities.
Infrastructure improvement is a critical part of unlocking the full potential of this agreement. The Minister emphasized the role of Chinese investment in upgrading South Africa’s rail networks, ports, and highways, investments that align with the Belt and Road Initiative and help reduce logistics costs for exporters.
This new protocol also strengthens the larger strategic relationship between South Africa and China. As trade ties deepen, both nations signal that their partnership goes beyond minerals and manufactured goods — it now extends into high-value agriculture, food safety cooperation, and mutual economic resilience.
For South Africa, the deal is a chance to reduce dependency on traditional export markets and buffer against global trade volatility. For China, it means greater access to quality agricultural products and a more diversified import base. Together, this agreement underscores how diplomatic engagement and bilateral negotiation can deliver tangible gains, from economic growth to job creation and stronger partnerships across sectors.
As the containers begin their journey to Shanghai, this might just be the first of many fruitful shipments in the growing story of China–South Africa cooperation.