Agriculture Minister Willie Aucamp has signed a landmark protocol that grants South African cherry producers access to the Chinese market for the first time. China is the world's largest importer of cherries, having imported a total 586 900 t of cherries valued at $3.3-billion, or R52.8-billion, in 2025.

South African cherry producers have secured first-ever access to China’s lucrative R52.8 billion import market, in a breakthrough expected to boost exports, investment and create…

The deal gives cherry growers access to the world’s biggest importer as SA diversifies