Historic Shipment of South African Stone Fruit to China Marks a New Era for the Industry

Text: Elise-Marie Steenkamp and Pictures: Alisa Farr

The first full container of South African stone fruit bound for the People’s Republic of China was dispatched last week from the Freshness First Packhouse in Franschhoek, marking a milestone for the country’s deciduous fruit industry.

Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen, accompanied by Ambassador Wu Peng, officiated at the event as approximately 20,000 cartons of premium plums — including the African Delight and Ruby Star varieties — were prepared for export.

Describing the development as transformative, Steenhuisen said the implementation of the stone fruit trade protocol with China represents more than a commercial opportunity. “Today, the Chinese market is a strategic necessity, not merely an opportunity for South Africa’s agricultural resilience,” he noted. The milestone follows a bilateral trade agreement under negotiation, which could grant South African produce 0% tariff access to the Chinese market, thereby significantly enhancing the global competitiveness of local farmers.

With China importing an estimated $200 billion in agricultural products annually and South Africa currently holding just 0.4% of that market, the government has set an ambitious target to double the current export value of R400 million over the next four years.

Representing the stone fruit industry, Jacques du Preez, General Manager: Trade and Markets at Hortgro, emphasised the breakthrough’s significance for the country’s 1,200 deciduous fruit growers. The sector, producing close to 2.2 million tonnes of fruit annually across 54,000 hectares, is heavily export-driven, with apples and pears accounting for roughly 70% of production and stone fruit the remaining 30%.

“While we are small compared with China’s vast production sector, South Africa is the largest apple producer in the Southern Hemisphere and the second-largest pear exporter globally,” Du Preez said. He added that securing access for stone fruit to China had been a long journey, but it builds on established trade in apples and pears, where strong growth and valuable partnerships have already been achieved.

China is now a pivotal market in the industry’s strategy to diversify beyond traditional destinations such as the European Union, the United Kingdom and the Middle East. Extensive market research has been conducted to identify cultivars, sizes and taste profiles best suited to Chinese consumer preferences, ensuring that only premium-quality fruit reaches the market.

Charl Herbst, Chairperson of Hortgro Stone and a producer from Tulbagh, described the occasion as historic. “Reaching this point has required years of commitment, collaboration and perseverance,” he said. “We are extremely excited about the opportunity to serve the Chinese market and deepen our relationship in the years ahead.”

Small airfreight consignments of nectarines and sugar plums have already received encouraging feedback from Chinese importers. The current plum shipment is the first of many anticipated consignments, as the industry works meticulously to meet strict phytosanitary and export protocol requirements.

Steenhuisen confirmed that the stone fruit protocol is part of a broader expansion strategy, with protocols for cherry and blueberry expected to follow.

For South Africa’s stone fruit producers, this inaugural shipment signals not only access to a vast new market but also the start of a long-term partnership that is set to strengthen trade ties and enhance the sustainability of the country’s deciduous fruit industry.