South Africa has exported its first shipment of plums to China under a newly signed stone fruit trade protocol, marking what officials describe as a breakthrough moment for the country’s agricultural sector.
The shipment, which included the plum varieties African Delight and Ruby Star, was sent at the tail end of the season. A spokesperson confirmed that 20,000 plums were exported to China, providing an initial opportunity to test the market.
“The kind of feedback that we got from China is that they’re very happy about the quality of the product,” the spokesperson said. “We are hoping and anticipating that in the next season, when we have full production of all the varieties of all types of stone fruits, we would certainly be able to export more.”
The deal, part of a wider zero-tariff arrangement, allows South Africa to export a variety of stone fruits beyond plums. Peaches, nectarines, apricots, and prunes are also expected to be shipped to China once the harvest season gets underway.
Much of the plums exported are produced in the Western Cape, where the agricultural sector is the second-largest employer of unskilled labor. From transport and logistics to pack sheds and packing, the agreement is expected to unlock significant sums in export value.
“This is really a breakthrough moment for South Africa’s stone fruit industry,” another spokesperson said. “China is one of the largest food markets in the world, and access to that market is a major growth opportunity. Very importantly, it means that we can diversify our export markets and reduce reliance on traditional destinations such as the EU and the UK.”
Officials added that the deal is expected to boost investment across the agricultural value chain, create jobs on farms, and open the door for additional exports, helping South Africa unlock significant economies of scale in the Chinese market.
