By Fred Meintjes
South Africa’s fledgling cherry industry is entering the new season with optimism, buoyed by strong weather conditions and rising export ambitions. Forecasts suggest that around 58 percent of this year’s crop will be exported, while 28 percent will be sold domestically.
Although the mood among growers and marketers is positive, South Africa remains a relatively small player in global cherry exports. Locally, the fruit is still regarded as expensive compared with other fresh produce, and its short December–January season limits its ability to break into mainstream consumer markets. To address this, packers have launched promotional campaigns aimed at boosting domestic sales, but the export market remains the industry’s most critical growth avenue.
Last season, 60 percent of South African cherries were shipped to the UK, 18 percent to the European Union, and 12 percent to the Middle East. Industry leaders expect a similar supply split this year. With more than 800 hectares of orchards now established, Ceres in the Western Cape has emerged as the country’s cherry capital.
According to industry body Hortgro, negotiations with China over market access are progressing well. Virtual inspections could take place before the end of the year, paving the way for the first exports to China in the 2026/27 season. “A second season of trials to determine the effect of cold treatment on cherries, ensuring compliance with the Chinese protocol, is presently underway,” a Hortgro spokesperson said. “The first season’s trials yielded promising results, but they need to be confirmed with data from a second season.”
Harvesting in northern regions has already concluded, while growers in the Free State and Western Cape are currently in peak season. “The volumes up north have been better than expected, and we are also hoping for a bumper crop in the Western Cape,” the spokesperson added.
Despite the upbeat outlook, South Africa faces stiff competition in international markets, where Chile remains the dominant supplier. For local growers, breaking into China could be a decisive step toward establishing South Africa as a credible summer fruit exporter on the global stage.