“Today, the Chinese market is a strategic necessity, not merely an opportunity for South Africa’s agricultural resilience,“ said agriculture minister John Steenhuisen on a recent visit to the Freshness First Packhouse in Franschhoek, accompanied by His Excellency Ambassador Wu Peng of the People’s Republic of China.

The first shipment of stone fruit was prepared for export to China during the week. Their visit focused on the dispatch of approximately 20,000 cartons of premium plums, primarily consisting of the African Delight and Ruby Star varieties.

Milestone

The shipment marks the official start of the stone fruit trade protocol to transform the local deciduous fruit industry. “This is a milestone that ambassador Peng and I have worked together on, and today I am happy we realised it,” said Steenhuisen.

The export was made possible by the signing of a bilateral trade agreement that grants South African produce 0% tariff access into the Chinese market. It significantly enhances the competitiveness of local farmers on the global stage.

The protocol for the export of blueberries is in the final stages. Photo: Pexel

China imports approximately R200bn in agricultural products annually, of which South Africa holds a modest 0.4% market share. It wants to drastically increase this figure, targeting a doubling of the current R400m export value cover over the next four years.

“South Africa does have the capacity to provide the quality and quantity of fruit that consumers in China will enjoy. The implementation of this stone fruit protocol will offset the immediate impact of tariffs imposed by other trading partners, particularly on plums.” 

First phase

The stone fruit shipment is the first phase of a broader expansion strategy. Steenhuisen confirmed the government is in the final stages of concluding the protocol for cherries, and later in the year, the protocol for blueberries.

He thanked the industry leaders, growers, and pack house staff for their tireless efforts in meeting the standards required for a breakthrough.

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OFM Agri/Isabel van Tonder dg