South Africa has secured a major boost for its citrus exports after signing a revised phytosanitary agreement with the People’s Republic of China, aimed at easing cold treatment requirements and improving market access.
The agreement, signed in Pretoria by Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen and Chinese Ambassador Wu Peng, is expected to enhance export efficiency, lower costs, and improve fruit quality reaching Chinese consumers.
Industry stakeholders, including the Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa, have welcomed the move, describing it as a significant step in strengthening trade ties and unlocking growth in one of South Africa’s most important export markets.
Steenhuisen said the agreement would help solidify South Africa’s position as a leading citrus exporter to China, noting that streamlined protocols would boost competitiveness and support producers across the value chain.
China remains a key destination for South African citrus. In 2025, exports to China and Hong Kong reached approximately 11.5 million cartons, accounting for about 6% of total citrus exports. The revised agreement is expected to drive further expansion as demand in the Chinese market continues to grow.
The deal builds on recent trade gains, including expanded access for South African stone fruits such as apricots, peaches, nectarines, plums, and prunes, reflecting a broader deepening of bilateral agricultural cooperation.
The citrus industry continues to play a central role in South Africa’s agricultural economy. In 2025, Southern Africa exported around 204 million cartons of citrus, with South Africa contributing approximately 193 million cartons. Export earnings surpassed $2.4 billion, underscoring the sector’s importance for foreign exchange generation and rural livelihoods.
According to the CGA, the industry supports roughly 140,000 direct jobs at farm and packhouse level, with many more across logistics, export services, and international distribution.
CGA CEO Boitshoko Ntshabele emphasised the importance of maintaining high phytosanitary standards and strengthening global partnerships to sustain market access.
Ambassador Wu highlighted the complementary nature of the trade relationship, noting that South Africa’s counter-seasonal production helps meet demand in China’s vast consumer market of 1.4 billion people.
With citrus exports forming the backbone of many rural economies, the agreement is expected to support job creation, boost export revenues, and reinforce long-term agricultural trade cooperation between the two countries.