The deal was signed in Pretoria on Friday by Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen and China’s Ambassador to SA, Wu Peng.
The revised protocol is expected to cut costs and improve fruit quality by reducing energy‑intensive cold chain requirements during shipping. Ambassador Wu said the changes will benefit both exporters and Chinese consumers by lowering logistics expenses and reducing the risk of cold damage.
“The standards signed today have two major benefits for SA and Chinese consumers,” Wu told Channel Africa. “First, a significant reduction in import and export costs by lowering cold chain energy consumption and sea shipping costs. Second, reduce the risk of cold damage, improve product quality and extend shelf life.”
Wu added that as a consumer, he has previously purchased SA citrus in China, but said stricter cold shipment requirements have affected freshness. “That is why we signed a new protocol,” he said.
In a further boost, China announced that from May 1, almost all SA exports will enjoy 0% tariff access to the Chinese market. Wu described the move as a unilateral measure aimed at supporting balanced, win‑win trade.
“Almost 100% of tariff lines from SA export to China will enjoy 0 tariff,” he said. “We care about trade balance and achieving win‑win cooperation.”
Steenhuisen welcomed both developments, saying updated science should be matched by updated protocols, and that lower trade barriers will help SA producers expand in a major counter‑seasonal market.
“With the more restrictions and onerous provisions that we can remove, the easier it is for our local producers to export into the Chinese market,” he said, adding that 0% tariffs could be a “game changer” for agriculture.
Citrus Growers’ Association Vice Chairperson Hannes de Waal said the agreement strengthens bilateral trade and could help rebuild market share. “At some stage, 10% of our citrus went to that market. It’s now down to 6%,” he said. “We look forward to getting back to 10% and beyond.”
Separately, Ambassador Wu welcomed recent ceasefire efforts in the Middle East and called for sustained diplomacy to support lasting peace.
–ChannelAfrica–
