South Africa has made its first significant entry into China’s $200 billion agricultural import market, sending an inaugural consignment of stone fruit to the Asian market, according to Xinhua News.
The initial shipment included approximately 20,000 cartons of premium plums, featuring varieties such as African Delight and Ruby Star, prepared at the Freshness First Packhouse in Franschhoek. The export follows a newly implemented bilateral stone fruit protocol granting South African producers tariff‑free access, improving their competitiveness in one of the world’s largest fruit markets.
Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen described the shipment as a “historic milestone”, highlighting the years of negotiations and strict compliance with China’s phytosanitary standards. The move underscores South Africa’s strategy to expand its share of China’s agricultural imports, where it currently accounts for roughly 0.4 percent of the market, SANews reported.
Officials project that South Africa could double export value to about R800 million ($42 million) within four years, with future shipments including cherries and blueberries expected later in 2026. The initiative forms part of a broader strategy to strengthen South Africa’s agricultural footprint in Asia and diversify its export portfolio.
