South Africa secures China market access for cherry exports
Tru-Cape expects to transport initial consignments by airfreight rather than sea to ensure peak freshness and market timing.
SOUTH AFRICA – South Africa has secured market access for cherry exports to China, with the protocol signed by Agriculture Minister Willie Aucamp and Sun Meijun of the General Administration of Chinese Customs in Beijing on 8 September, the Department of Agriculture said.
The agreement eliminates tariffs and provides South African growers with a strategic window to supply fruit before larger competitors such as Chile enter the market. China’s total cherry imports reached about 586,900 tonnes in 2025, valued at US$3.3 billion (R52.8 billion), according to government data.
“This achievement is record-breaking as it is the first time that two market access protocols have been signed with China within a year,” Aucamp said. “We truly appreciate China’s efforts to speed up our market access requests for South African agricultural products.”
South African cherries are expected to enter the market around week 44, while Chilean production typically begins around week 49, creating a potential early-season window.
“We welcome this development wholeheartedly because it creates another market opportunity for South African cherries,” said Roelf Pienaar, managing director of Tru-Cape Fruit Marketing. “There is clearly strong demand for cherries in China, and the market presents an exciting opportunity for South African growers, particularly because our season gives us the potential to supply fruit early.”
The biggest immediate challenge for exporters is fruit size, with Chinese consumers showing a strong preference for cherries of 28mm and above, according to Johan Brink, sales director at Tru-Cape. However, the company believes South African eating quality can create a point of differentiation.
“While size is undoubtedly important in China, we believe South African eating quality can count strongly in our favour,” said Lawrence Killian, Tru-Cape’s marketing manager for the Far East. “South African fresh produce is already associated with quality among Chinese buyers.”
Tru-Cape expects to transport initial consignments by airfreight rather than sea to ensure peak freshness and market timing. Currently, around 80% of Tru-Cape’s cherries are sold domestically, with approximately 20% exported, mainly to Middle Eastern markets, making China a significant opportunity to diversify export markets.
Moreover, Aucamp noted that negotiations to grant market access for South African blueberries to China are advanced, with China having submitted a draft protocol for consideration. The minister has requested Team South Africa to fast-track coordination of inputs and negotiations, with a view to finalizing the protocol before the end of the year.
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