PRETORIA, September 10 — South African cherries have gained access to the Chinese market for the first time following the signing of a phytosanitary protocol between South Africa and China, opening a potentially significant new export opportunity for the country’s horticulture industry.
South African Agriculture Minister Willie Aucamp and Sun Meijun, head of China’s General Administration of Customs (GACC), signed the protocol in Beijing on September 8 during the ninth Sanitary and Phytosanitary Ministerial Meeting.
The agreement establishes the phytosanitary requirements that will allow South African cherries meeting Chinese import standards to enter the market.
China is the world’s largest importer of cherries, importing approximately 586,900 tonnes valued at about US$3.3 billion in 2025, according to figures cited by the South African government.
South African authorities expect access to the Chinese market to encourage expansion of the country’s cherry industry. The government estimates that increased production resulting from the new market opportunity could create about 600 additional jobs.
The agreement forms part of wider efforts by South Africa to increase agricultural exports to China and diversify markets for its farmers.
South Africa has already made progress in expanding access for other fruit products. In February, the country sent its first shipment of about 20,000 cartons of plums to China following the implementation of market-access arrangements for South African stone fruit.
Blueberries could be next.
Negotiations between South Africa and China over market access for South African blueberries are at an advanced stage. China has submitted a draft protocol, while South Africa is seeking to conclude negotiations before the end of 2026.
The cherry agreement comes as China continues to expand market access for African agricultural products, alongside its broader zero-tariff treatment for African countries with diplomatic relations with Beijing.
However, tariff preferences alone do not automatically allow agricultural products into the Chinese market. Individual products must also comply with sanitary and phytosanitary requirements intended to protect plant, animal and human health.
The South African cherry agreement therefore represents an important step in translating broader China-Africa trade commitments into product-specific market access.
For South African producers, access to China’s large consumer market could provide opportunities to expand production, attract investment into the horticulture value chain and diversify export destinations.