South African cherry producers have gained access to the lucrative Chinese market following the signing of a new market access protocol between the two countries.
Agriculture Minister Wille Aucamp signed the landmark agreement with General Administration of Chinese Customs (GACC) Minister Sun Meijun during the ninth Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Ministerial Meeting in Beijing.
Aucamp described the agreement as a significant achievement, noting that it marks the first time South Africa and China have signed two agricultural market access protocols within a single year.
“We truly appreciate China’s efforts to speed up our market access requests for South African agriculture products,” Aucamp said.
The minister said the agreement reinforces the strong agricultural partnership between South Africa and China and supports efforts to expand bilateral trade.
The cherry protocol also aligns with commitments made under the Framework Agreement on Economic Partnership for Shared Development, which provides South African agricultural products with 0% tariff access to the Chinese market.
The agreement could deliver significant economic benefits, with China the world’s largest cherry importer. The country imported about 586 900 tonnes of cherries in 2025, valued at approximately US$3.3 billion (R52.8 billion).
More agricultural cooperation
Aucamp also met with China’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Zhang Zhu, where the two ministers reaffirmed their commitment to cooperation in areas including biosecurity, particularly Foot and Mouth Disease, as well as expanding market access for South African agricultural products.
He also met representatives of Chinese fruit importers during the South Africa-China Fruit Trade Business Forum, organised by FruitSA.
According to Aucamp, access to the Chinese market is expected to encourage further investment in South Africa’s cherry industry and create around 600 new jobs.
“There is more to come between South Africa and China now that the negotiations to grant market access for South African blueberries to China are at an advanced stage,” he said.
China has already submitted a draft protocol for the import of South African blueberries. Aucamp has instructed Team South Africa to fast-track consultations and negotiations, with the aim of finalising the agreement before the end of the year.
Agriculture Minister Wille Aucamp signed the landmark agreement with General Administration of Chinese Customs (GACC) Minister Sun Meijun during the ninth Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Ministerial Meeting in Beijing.
Aucamp described the agreement as a significant achievement, noting that it marks the first time South Africa and China have signed two agricultural market access protocols within a single year.
“We truly appreciate China’s efforts to speed up our market access requests for South African agriculture products,” Aucamp said.
The minister said the agreement reinforces the strong agricultural partnership between South Africa and China and supports efforts to expand bilateral trade.
The cherry protocol also aligns with commitments made under the Framework Agreement on Economic Partnership for Shared Development, which provides South African agricultural products with 0% tariff access to the Chinese market.
The agreement could deliver significant economic benefits, with China the world’s largest cherry importer. The country imported about 586 900 tonnes of cherries in 2025, valued at approximately US$3.3 billion (R52.8 billion).
More agricultural cooperation
Aucamp also met with China’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Zhang Zhu, where the two ministers reaffirmed their commitment to cooperation in areas including biosecurity, particularly Foot and Mouth Disease, as well as expanding market access for South African agricultural products.
He also met representatives of Chinese fruit importers during the South Africa-China Fruit Trade Business Forum, organised by FruitSA.
According to Aucamp, access to the Chinese market is expected to encourage further investment in South Africa’s cherry industry and create around 600 new jobs.
“There is more to come between South Africa and China now that the negotiations to grant market access for South African blueberries to China are at an advanced stage,” he said.
China has already submitted a draft protocol for the import of South African blueberries. Aucamp has instructed Team South Africa to fast-track consultations and negotiations, with the aim of finalising the agreement before the end of the year.
