US tariffs | How South Africa's new trade deal with China could reshape its fruit export market
Steenhuisen confirmed the news on Wednesday, saying during his last visit to China with Deputy President Paul Mashatile, the Chinese government provided a draft protocol for the export of five types of stone fruit
Image: Phando Jikelo / Parliament of RSA
As South Africa continues to scramble in search of alternative markets after the US slapped 30% tariffs on South African goods, the Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, has revealed that a new trade deal with China is close to being finalised.
Steenhuisen confirmed the news on Wednesday, saying during his last visit to China with Deputy President Paul Mashatile, the Chinese government provided a draft protocol for the export of five types of stone fruit.
"I can today share that after the last visit that I attended with the Deputy President in China and our visit as the Agriculture Minister to the GACC, we were given the protocol for stone fruit," Steenhuisen said.
He added that it was the first time China had negotiated more than one product with South Africa at a time, as they usually focus on just one fruit type per agreement.
"It's significant in a number of ways. It's the first time that China has negotiated more than one product with us at a time. It's usually their focus on one fruit type.
"We got five in this particular deal: stone fruit, apricots, peaches, nectarines, plums, and prunes".
The minister further said that the government now hopes to "conclude this protocol on the sidelines of the G20, the Agriculture G20 next month".
"We hope to conclude this protocol on the sidelines of the G20, the Agriculture G20 next month, and that will then open the way for stone fruit from South Africa into China.
"The next mission thereafter is cherries and mangoes, and we are already advanced in terms of the negotiations there, and I think that would open huge opportunities for us to be able to get those particular products there".
The announcement comes amid growing concern over the impact of the US-imposed 30% tariffs on South African goods, which have forced the country to urgently seek alternative markets to support its exporters and farmers.
IOL previously reported that the South African Table Grape Industry (SATI) and the Citrus Growers' Association of Southern Africa (CGA) have also raised concerns over the tariffs, warning that the increased costs could lead to significant job losses and reduced export volumes.
mthobisi.nozulela@iol.co.za
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