South Africa to supply cherries to China
The agreement between the two countries opens up access to the largest import market for the fruit
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Photo source: zoff-photo / iStock
South African sweet cherry producers have, for the first time, been granted the right to export their produce to China. The relevant market access protocol was signed by South Africa’s Minister of Agriculture, Willie Aucamp, and China’s Minister of the General Administration of Customs, Sun Meijun. This was reported by IOL.
China is the world’s largest importer of sweet cherries. According to figures for 2025, the country purchased around 586,900 tonnes of the fruit, worth approximately 52.8 billion rand (around US$3.267 billion). Access to this market is expected to bring South Africa billions of rand in export revenue and create around 600 new jobs in the agricultural sector.
The agreement grants South African suppliers a zero tariff rate. This is provided for under the Framework Agreement on Economic Partnership for Shared Development between the PRC and South Africa, signed in February 2026.
In addition, South Africa may begin supplying blueberries to China. It is noted that negotiations on market access for South African blueberries are at an advanced stage. China has already sent South Africa a draft protocol on blueberry imports. Aucamp has asked his team to speed up their work in order to finalise the agreement by the end of 2026.
He had previously met with Zhang Zhu, China’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. The parties reaffirmed their commitment to cooperation in mutually beneficial areas, including biosafety and expanding market access for agricultural products.
In May 2026, a zero-tariff regime came into force between China and 53 African countries with which it maintains diplomatic relations. Since 1 December 2024, this regime has been in force for 33 African states.
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