South Africa launches first duty-free stone fruit exports to China, opening new chapter in agricultural trade

A worker packs nectarines at the Johannesburg Fresh Produce Market in South Africa, on Oct. 29, 2025. (Photo by Shiraaz Mohamed/Xinhua)

South Africa has officially launched its first duty-free stone fruit exports to China, marking a major step forward in agricultural trade between the two countries and opening new opportunities for local growers to tap into one of the world's largest consumer markets. The milestone follows the signing of a bilateral trade agreement that grants South African produce duty-free access into China, a move expected to significantly enhance the competitiveness of South Africa's fruit on the global stage and strengthen the country's long-term export strategy.

The first shipment was prepared and dispatched from the Freshness First Packhouse in Franschhoek, near Cape Town, where South African Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen and Chinese Ambassador to South Africa Wu Peng jointly saw off the consignment. The send-off symbolized the official commencement of the stone fruit trade protocol, the result of months of negotiations aimed at expanding market access for South African farmers. The inaugural consignment included about 20,000 cartons of premium plums, mainly the African Delight and Ruby Star varieties, prized for their sweetness, color and export quality. Industry leaders say the shipment represents more than just a commercial transaction, describing it as the beginning of a potentially transformative chapter for South Africa's deciduous fruit sector.

Speaking at the event, Steenhuisen emphasized the growing importance of China as a strategic trading partner. He noted that access to the Chinese market is not simply an opportunity but a necessity for building agricultural resilience and supporting economic growth, especially as exporters face shifting trade conditions and tariffs in other regions. South Africa currently accounts for just 0.4 percent of China's roughly $200 billion agricultural import market, leaving substantial room for expansion. Officials are aiming to double the country's export value to China over the next four years, with stone fruit expected to play a key role in driving that growth. Duty-free entry is likely to improve pricing competitiveness, boost volumes and create more jobs across farming, packing and logistics.

Steenhuisen said local producers have both the quality standards and production capacity to meet the expectations of Chinese consumers, adding that the new protocol will help offset the impact of tariffs imposed by other trading partners, particularly on plums. He expressed confidence that shipments to China would increase rapidly as supply chains and relationships strengthen.

The plum exports are only the first phase of a broader strategy to widen South Africa's fresh fruit footprint in China. Protocols for cherries are nearing completion, while blueberries are expected to follow later in the year, potentially opening additional high-value segments for growers.

For farmers and exporters, the departure of the first cartons signals the start of a deeper commercial relationship between the two nations, one that could reshape the industry by providing stable demand, diversified markets and stronger returns. As the refrigerated containers leave the Western Cape bound for Asia, they carry not only fruit but also the hopes of a sector eager to expand its global reach.