China remains a country with the biggest market given its population of about 1,38 billion. The total imports of fruits into China during 2015 according to the graph below was 3,8 million tons valued at $5 billion. South Africa has only been able to export about 110,000 tonnes of fruit during the same period which is a drop in the ocean.
Given that South Africa currently export about 2,7 million tons of fruits globally, the value of its current export to China is very small and Fruit SA has been working hard in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) to gain more access for other fruit types.
The objective of the MOU between the two organisations is to address the challenges that are experienced currently in expanding and broadening market access which takes a longer time than desired. The agreement will ensure that the two organisations support their governments' work in opening markets for fruits by providing the required technical information and guidance to speed-up the negotiations process for market access for new products.
To date, South Africa can only export apples, citrus and table grapes to China and the process is painstakingly slow. The two governments are currently negotiating market access for pears which will be followed by avocados, and then other types of fruits.
The two parties will use the MOU to provide the support required during market access negotiations between the two countries by sharing information the following areas: pest risk analysis, quarantine and inspections regulations, technology exchanges related to fruit production and market developments.
With the implementation of this agreement and the acceleration of market access, the fruit industry aims to increase its exports to China to about 350,000 tonnes in the next five years which will be a boon for the agriculture economy and also for job creation as more orchards will be established to support this key market.
