This week’s signing of the new protocol for imports of South African stonefruit into China, has also opened the door to the country’s blueberries and cherries.

South African agriculture minister John Steenhuisen announced that he has invited the Chinese plant health authorities to the country to finalise their inspections of blueberry and cherry orchards and packing facilities.

“In doing that, we can clear all hurdles so that we can start shipping our blueberries and cherries to China in the next season,” he said, following the stonefruit signing ceremony with Sun Meijun, Chinese minister of general administration of customs.

South Africa is now in the peak of its blueberry season, and the cherry season starts in November.

These harvests are completed in January, leaving limited time to complete the inspections this year.

The signing of the protocol for five stonefruit categories at the same time is unusual, as different categories have been handled one by one in the past.

This means that South African apricot, peach, nectarine, plum and prune growers can load their first shipments during the recently commenced season.

From experience it is expected that exporters will need time to get used to the new stonefruit protocols before significant shipments start.

Steenhuizen said that access for stonefruit into China offers huge opportunities for South Africa to expand its production.

“This can add R400mn to the industry’s income during the next few years,” he explained. ”China’s consumption of peaches and plums are fast increasing and present consumption levels are more than South Africa’s total production.”

The next two months are important for all South African fruit export categories to China.

The G-20 Summit will be held in South Africa in November when it is expected that more details of a new free trade agreement between China and African nations will emerge.

Reference Link, Fruitnet News