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South African cherry farmers prepare to sell to China

Published

China is opening its market to South African cherries for the first time, under a zero-tariff scheme for qualifying exports. Agriculture minister Willie Aucamp expects the first shipment by the end of the year, once China confirms it has met its requirements.

Gert Eastes, CEO of Ridge Cherry Farms, farms on 125ha near Rustenburg. He has about 300 seasonal workers and now grows 600 tonnes of cherries. He hopes to export 1,000 tonnes to China in October and to reach 2,000 tonnes later. He said: "We’ve been asking for this for ages".

China buys nearly 600,000 tonnes of cherries a year. South Africa holds 0.2% of global cherry volumes. Growers aim for early-season harvests so they can compete with supply from Chile and Argentina.

Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist at the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa, said the country already exports 55% of what it produces. He said export value could grow by at least 20% over the coming years.

Aucamp said the push into China is not a slight against the US but an effort to grow the sector. President Cyril Ramaphosa has said South Africa must prepare for possible exclusion from Agoa.

Key facts

Who
Gert Eastes (CEO of Ridge Cherry Farms, cherry farmer); Karien Bezuidenhout (manager of alternative crops at Hortgro); Wandile Sihlobo (chief economist at the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa); Willie Aucamp (agriculture minister)
What
Beijing is introducing a zero-tariff scheme for qualifying South African exports and opening its market to South African cherries for the first time, as South African growers aim for early-season harvests to compete with Chilean and Argentine supply. China must still confirm it has met its requirements before the first shipment, which agriculture minister Willie Aucamp expects by year end.
When
21 October 2026
Where
China, South Africa, United States
Status
Reported

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