South African cherry growers can now sell into China for the first time, opening a major new market for the country’s growing cherry industry.
Agriculture Minister Willie Aucamp signed the market-access protocol with China’s General Administration of Customs in Beijing on 8 September. China imported about 586,900 tonnes of cherries worth US$3.3 billion in 2025, making it the world’s largest cherry importer.
For South Africa’s supply-chain industry, however, the interesting part starts after the agreement is signed.
Getting cherries from an orchard to a Chinese buyer requires a coordinated journey involving harvesting, packing, temperature-controlled logistics, road freight, export procedures, international shipping and distribution.
For a perishable product, every stage matters.
From Orchard to Packhouse
The export journey starts with producing fruit that meets the requirements of the destination market.
The new market-access protocol establishes the framework for South African cherries to enter China and forms part of the sanitary and phytosanitary arrangements governing agricultural trade between the two countries.
Once harvested, cherries need to move quickly through packing and preparation. The fruit then enters a temperature-controlled supply chain designed to maintain its condition while it travels towards the export gateway.
This makes logistics more than a transport function. Delays at the farm, packhouse, storage facility or during transport can reduce the time available for the rest of the journey.
The Journey to the Export Gateway
Where the cherries are grown will influence how they reach international markets.
South Africa’s cherry industry has expanded significantly in recent years, with planted area increasing from 185 hectares in 2012 to 819 hectares in 2024, according to industry body Hortgro.
As production grows, so does the logistics network needed to support it.
More fruit means more movement between farms and packhouses, greater demand for cold storage and additional transport capacity to connect production areas with export gateways.
The opening of China could therefore create opportunities beyond the growers themselves.
Then Comes the Export Process
Physical movement is only part of getting the cherries into China.
South African exporters also need to meet customs and origin requirements.
South Africa’s temporary zero-tariff arrangement with China came into effect on 1 May 2026. Qualifying exports can receive zero-tariff treatment if they meet the applicable rules of origin, although some tariff lines are subject to quotas.
SARS issues the Rules of Origin certificates required for qualifying exports. Exporters must also maintain the required documentation and comply with the scheme’s conditions to receive the tariff benefit.
For the supply chain, this means a shipment can be physically ready to leave South Africa but still be unable to move as planned if the documentation and customs requirements are not in order.
China is Only Another Link in the Chain
Once the cherries arrive in China, the journey is not over.
The shipment still needs to clear the relevant authorities, reach importers and move through China’s distribution network before reaching its final buyer.
That makes coordination across the entire journey particularly important.
A delay in South Africa does not simply mean a later departure. It reduces the time available for every stage that follows.
A New Market, And A New Logistics Opportunity
The Department of Agriculture expects the opening of the Chinese market to stimulate further investment in cherry production and estimates that it could create about 600 new jobs.
If production expands, the supporting supply chain will need to expand with it — from packhouses and cold storage to road freight, export services and international logistics.
That is what makes the agreement significant beyond agriculture.
South Africa now has access to a major new market. The next challenge is building a supply chain capable of getting those cherries there on time, in good condition and at a competitive cost.