South African and Chinese agricultural authorities will formally sign the final protocol for stone fruit exports next week in Beijing. According to Fruitnet, the major development in this final signing is the inclusion of South African cherries, thus consolidating a long-awaited milestone for the South African fruit sector following preliminary agreements reached last year.
The signing comes at a strategic time: the South African season begins in October and will represent the first full season of stone fruit exports to the Asian giant.
Nectarines, plums, and the bet on the chinese palate
Over the last decade, South Africa’s stone fruit industry has undergone a profound varietal conversion process focused on meeting the demanding standards and preferences of Asian consumers.
Industry projections anticipate that the largest export volumes will correspond to:
- Nectarines and plums, which will account for the bulk of shipments.
- Mid- to late-season varieties, whose peak marketing window will be between January and February.
- Fresh cherries, which will now have the formal backing of the protocol to compete in the coveted Northern Hemisphere winter window in China.
Blueberries, next on the waiting list
With stone fruit access guaranteed, the focus of bilateral negotiations will now shift to South African blueberries. Although the pace of talks between Pretoria and Beijing has increased significantly recently, the industry remains cautious about whether the blueberry protocol will be implemented in time for the current season.
Globally, the South African blueberry industry still has a limited volume—exporting 26,000 tons in 2025—compared to direct competitors like Peru, which has significantly increased its shipments to China so far this year. Therefore, once access is granted, South African exporters will seek specific, high-value market opportunities.
Strategic diversification in the face of the geopolitical situation
The opening of this channel strengthens the catalog of South African fruits already approved for export to China, joining apples, pears, table grapes, citrus fruits, and avocados. The export industry hopes that these advances will lay the groundwork for a future comprehensive trade agreement between the two nations.
The momentum of negotiations in Asia—which coincides with the trade meetings at the Asia Fruit Logistica fair in Hong Kong and recent logistical improvements for citrus fruit entry into India—is particularly relevant in the current global landscape. International tariff tensions and severe logistical disruptions caused by the conflict in the Middle East—a market that traditionally absorbs 20% of South African citrus—have accelerated the urgent need to redirect supply and diversify destinations towards the Asian market.
Source: Frutas de Chile
