Zero-tariff access strengthens opportunities for South African agriculture in China

South African Ambassador to China Dipuo Letsatsi-Duba, Agriculture Minister Willie Aucamp, Minister of the General Administration of Customs of China Sun Meijun and Chinese Ambassador to South Africa Wu Peng during the signing ceremony to open China's market to South African cherry exports in Beijing. (Photo provided to People's Daily Online)

The opening of China's market to South African cherries marks another step in strengthening the country's agricultural export industry, with the combination of new market access and China's zero-tariff policy creating greater opportunities for local producers to expand into one of the world's largest consumer markets.

Agriculture Minister Willie Aucamp signed a protocol with Sun Meijun, head of China's General Administration of Customs on Sept. 8, formally opening the Chinese market to South African cherries for the first time. The agreement was signed during the ninth Sanitary and Phytosanitary Ministerial Meeting in Beijing.

The development comes as South African agricultural producers gain from China's 0% tariff market-access arrangements, which provide an important opportunity to improve the competitiveness of qualifying South African products in the Chinese market.

For the agricultural sector, the significance extends beyond cherries. Duty-free access can help reduce the cost burden on exporters, improve the competitiveness of South African products and encourage producers to explore new opportunities in China, particularly as demand for high-quality fresh produce continues to grow.

China is the world's largest importer of cherries. In 2025, the country imported approximately 586,900 tonnes of cherries valued at $3.3 billion, equivalent to about 52.8 billion rands. Access to this market therefore provides South African producers with significant potential to increase exports and build new commercial relationships with Chinese buyers.

Aucamp described the agreement as a landmark achievement, noting that it was the first time South Africa and China had signed two agricultural market-access protocols within a year. He also welcomed China's efforts to accelerate market-access processes for South African agricultural products.

The cherry protocol forms part of the broader strengthening of agricultural and economic cooperation between South Africa and China under the Framework Agreement on Economic Partnership for Shared Development, which includes 0% tariff market access for South African products entering China.

For South Africa's agricultural industry, greater access to the Chinese market could support investment across the value chain, from orchards and farming to packaging, logistics, cold-chain infrastructure and export services.

The development also demonstrates the importance of combining tariff reductions with sanitary and phytosanitary cooperation. While lower tariffs can make exports more competitive, agreements governing food safety, plant health and biosecurity are essential for enabling agricultural products to enter international markets.

During his visit to Beijing, Aucamp met with China's Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Zhang Zhu, with the two sides reaffirming cooperation in areas including biosecurity, particularly foot-and-mouth disease, and the expansion of market opportunities for South African agricultural products.

South African producers are already looking beyond cherries. Negotiations to secure Chinese market access for South African blueberries are at an advanced stage, with China having submitted a draft import protocol for South Africa's consideration. The South African government is seeking to finalize the agreement before the end of the year.

The expansion of agricultural market access comes at an important time for South Africa as the country seeks to increase exports, diversify destinations and support inclusive growth in rural communities.

With cherries now joining the growing range of South African agricultural products entering the Chinese market, the latest agreement provides a practical example of how zero-tariff access can support the country's agricultural industry by opening new markets, strengthening export competitiveness, attracting investment and creating jobs.

For South African farmers and agricultural businesses, the growing relationship with China offers an opportunity to move beyond traditional export markets and build a stronger presence in a large and increasingly important consumer economy.