Agriculture Minister Wille Aucamp has signed a landmark protocol granting South African cherry producers market access into China for the first time.
The signing of the protocol took place during the ninth Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Ministerial Meeting, held in Beijing, where Aucamp, together with General Administration of Chinese Customs (GACC) Minister Sun Meijun, signed the protocol.
Aucamp welcomed this achievement, describing it as record-breaking as “it is the first time that two market access protocols have been signed with China within a year”.
“We truly appreciate China’s efforts to speed up our market access requests for South African agriculture products,” the Minister said.
During the ministerial session, Aucamp noted the bilateral partnership between the countries and commended China’s role in advancing two-way trade in agriculture products.
The minister also commended the finalisation and signing of the Cherry protocol as a confirmation of the commitment made to increase and broaden trade under the Framework Agreement on Economic Partnership for Shared Development, giving South Africa 0% tariff market access to Chinese markets.
The signing of the protocol will have immense economic benefits for South Africa, with China being the leading global importer of cherries, importing about 586 900 tons during 2025, valued at US$3.3 billion (R52.8 billion).
Collaboration on mutually beneficial areas
Aucamp also engaged the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Zhang Zhu on Monday where both Ministers reaffirmed their countries’ commitment to continue to collaborate on mutually beneficial areas, such as biosecurity, especially Foot and Mouth Disease, and securing more market access opportunities for South African agricultural products.
Furthermore, the minister also met and engaged with representatives of the Chinese fruit importers at the South Africa-China Fruit Trade Business Forum, organised by FruitSA.
Aucamp further noted that the opening of the Chinese market for cherries is expected to stimulate more investment in production, adding about 600 new job opportunities, in line with the government’s priority of inclusive economic growth and job creation.
“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,” the minister said.
China has submitted a draft protocol for the import of blueberries for South Africa’s consideration and Aucamp has requested team South Africa to fast-track the coordination of inputs and negotiations, with the view to finalize the protocol before the end of the year. – SAnews.gov.za
