Stone fruit industry set for major boost as China trade deal sealed

SOUTH Africa's agricultural sector has welcomed a breakthrough trade agreement that could open lucrative opportunities for local fruit producers.

- YOGASEHN PILLAY

AGRICULTURAL associations have welcomed the Department of Agriculture (DOA) signing of the Stone Fruit trade protocol with China.

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The Department of Agriculture (DoA) announced on Wednesday that Minister John Steenhuisen and China's Minister of the General Administration of Customs (GACC), Sun Meijun, signed a landmark Stone Fruit Trade Protocol in Shanghai.

The agreement, which covers fruits such as apricots, peaches, nectarines, plums, and prunes, is expected to unlock an estimated R400 million in export value over the next five years.

Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist at the Agricultural Business Chamber (Agbiz), said the deal marks a significant step in deepening South Africa's access to the Chinese market an increasingly vital destination for local produce.

"We must work to broaden South Africa's agricultural access to China. South Africa remains a small share in the Chinese list of agricultural suppliers, at about 0.4%," he said.