South African Cherries Gain Access to China in Landmark Export Deal
The agreement gives South African exporters duty-free access to China, and officials say it could support about 600 new jobs.
- On Tuesday, September 8, 2026, Agriculture Minister Wille Aucamp signed a landmark protocol granting South African cherry producers market access to China for the first time in history.
- The agreement secures 0% tariff market access for South African exporters under the Framework Agreement on Economic Partnership for Shared Development, eliminating import duties on cherries.
- This partnership is expected to stimulate production and add about 600 new job opportunities, while capitalizing on a Chinese market that imported about 586 900 tons of cherries in 2025, valued at US$3.3 billion.
- Aucamp also met with Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Zhang Zhu on Monday, September 7, 2026, to reaffirm commitments to collaborate on biosecurity, especially foot-and-mouth disease .
- Negotiations to grant market access for South African blueberries to China are at an advanced stage, with Aucamp requesting the team fast-track coordination to finalize the protocol before year-end.
11 Articles
11 Articles
South African cherries gain access to China in landmark export deal
South African cherry producers have secured first-ever access to China’s lucrative R52.8 billion import market, in a breakthrough expected to boost exports, investment and create about 600 jobs.
South African cherries gain first-ever access to Chinese market
South African cherry producers have secured access to the lucrative Chinese market for the first time following the signing of a landmark market access protocol between the two countries. Agriculture Minister Wille Aucamp signed the protocol with Sun Meijun, Minister of the General Administration of Chinese Customs (GACC), during the ninth Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) […]
The opening acquires special relevance due to the size of the Chinese market for this fruit. During 2025, China imported about 586,900 tons of cherries, worth approximately US$3.3 billion.
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