South Africa’s first consignment of stone fruit was shipped to China this week.
Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen, accompanied by the People’s Republic of China Ambassador to South Africa, Wu Peng, visited the Freshness First Packhouse in Franschhoek on Wednesday, where the inaugural consignment was prepared for export.
The consignment comprises approximately 20 000 cartons of premium plums, primarily the African Delight and Ruby Star varieties.
This shipment marks the official commencement of the stone fruit trade protocol, a move set to transform the local deciduous fruit industry.
Speaking at the event, Steenhuisen said the opening of the Chinese market was a fundamental necessity for South Africa’s economic growth.
“Today, the Chinese market is a strategic necessity, not merely an opportunity for South Africa’s agricultural resilience. This is a milestone that Ambassador Peng and I have worked toward together, and today I am happy that we have realised it.”
The export follows the signing of a bilateral trade agreement granting South African produce 0% tariff access to the Chinese market, significantly enhancing the global competitiveness of local growers.
China imports approximately $200 billion worth of agricultural products annually. South Africa currently holds a modest 0.4% market share.
Steenhuisen said the country aimed to drastically expand its footprint, with plans to double the current R400 million export value 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. I am confident that our volumes into the Chinese market are going to increase tremendously,” said Steenhuisen.
The plum shipment is the first phase of a broader expansion strategy.
Steenhuisen said the government was in the final stages of concluding a trade protocol for cherries, with a blueberries protocol expected later this year.
He commended industry leaders, growers and packhouse staff for their efforts in meeting the rigorous phytosanitary standards required to access the Chinese market, describing their efforts as instrumental in securing the breakthrough. – SAnews.gov.za
