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) Ministerial Meeting in Beijing on 8 September 2026.
Aucamp described the agreement as a major milestone in agricultural trade relations between South Africa and China, noting that it marks the first time two market access protocols have been signed between the countries within a single year.
“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, while expressing appreciation for China’s efforts to accelerate South Africa’s agricultural market access requests.
Speaking during the ministerial session, Aucamp praised the strong bilateral partnership between the two countries and China’s role in expanding two-way agricultural trade.
He said the finalisation of the cherry protocol demonstrated the commitment made under the Framework Agreement on Economic Partnership for Shared Development to increase and broaden trade, including through 0% tariff market access for South African products in China.
The agreement is expected to generate significant economic opportunities for South Africa, with China ranked as the world’s largest importer of cherries. China imported about 586,900 tonnes of cherries in 2025, valued at approximately US$3.3 billion (R52.8 billion).
The opening of the market is also expected to stimulate fresh investment in South Africa’s cherry production industry and create about 600 new jobs, supporting the government’s drive for inclusive economic growth and employment creation.
Aucamp also held talks with China’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Zhang Zhu, on 7 September, where the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to cooperation in areas including biosecurity, particularly foot-and-mouth disease, as well as securing additional market access for South African agricultural products.
The Minister further met Chinese fruit importers during the South Africa-China Fruit Trade Business Forum organised by FruitSA, providing an opportunity to strengthen commercial links between producers and Chinese buyers.
Aucamp said further progress was expected, particularly on blueberry exports.
“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 submitted a draft protocol for South African blueberry imports, and Aucamp has directed the South African negotiating team to fast-track consultations and negotiations with the aim of finalising the agreement before the end of 2026.
