China grants tariff-free access and eases cold-treatment rules for South African citrus

China has opened tariff-free market access for South African citrus and amended the cold-treatment protocol applied to shipments from the country, a combination exporters describe as a lifeline for a trade that has been flat for five years. Algoa FM reported that the amendment to cold-treatment requirements, announced in April, has been widely welcomed by exporters and importers on both sides of the route.

Four weeks at sub-freezing temperatures

Exporters and importers said the previous cold-treatment regime, combined with a voyage of at least four weeks to Asian markets, was detrimental to fruit quality. Craig Jensen, director of the Gqeberha-based fruit exporter Safpro, said the relaxation of some of the cold-treatment requirements would help ensure South African citrus arrives in better condition, “not having been exposed to sub-freezing temperatures for extended periods”, he told Farmer’s Weekly.

Bake Huang, a Guangzhou-based fresh fruit market observer who travels to South Africa with leading retailers and importers to secure annual supply, said cold damage to fruit during the long transit from South Africa to China had been the main issue for importers in recent years.

Volumes stuck between 10 and 11 million cartons

In the 2025 season, South African citrus exports to China and Hong Kong amounted to approximately 11.5 million cartons, representing around 6% of the country’s total citrus exports. Over the past five years, volumes to China hovered between 10 million and 11 million cartons before rising to 11.5 million in 2025.

• Southern Africa exported around 204 million cartons of citrus worldwide, with South Africa contributing about 193 million cartons.
• South Africa’s total citrus export earnings reached an estimated US$2.47 billion, roughly R41 billion.
• China and Hong Kong together accounted for about 6% of South African export volume.

Jensen said volumes to China had been stagnant over the past five years and would likely have declined if the protocol had not been changed. He attributed the pullback less to structural factors than to escalating market risk, particularly fixed-duty costs and volatile pricing outcomes. “As margins tightened and downside risk increased, exporters became more cautious, especially in a market where Europe cannot easily absorb diverted volumes without price pressure,” he said.

Landed costs down 11% to 12%

Huang said expectations for South African citrus are positive following the improved trading terms agreed by both governments. “As the tariff decreases to zero, costs will decrease by 11% to 12%. Plus, the US dollar–RMB exchange rate is decreasing at the same time; therefore the cost reduces quite a lot compared with the last several years,” he said.

The eased protocol, he added, will bring more qualified fruit into China and provide a consistent supply to customers through different retailing channels and the wholesale market. “Buyers will be much happier to receive more fruit from South Africa,” he said.

Chinese domestic fruit has reset price expectations

Jensen said stagnant South African volumes also reflect increased Chinese production and improved local fruit quality, which has made it harder for more expensive imported fruit to hold price premiums. “China’s domestic citrus industry has advanced rapidly, delivering strong visual and eating quality at significantly lower price points,” he said. A good-quality locally produced Barnfield late navel orange can trade at around US$0.80 to US$1 per kilogram, or R13 to R16.30, compared with South African navels historically priced closer to US$1.80 to US$2 per kilogram, or R29.30 to R32.60, in the same wholesale markets.

Huang noted that international juice prices are declining, after being driven very high over the past few years by reduced orange production in Brazil, and said growers and exporters are expected to focus more on the global fresh market. “The new protocol is a lifeline for an industry that generates a large amount of foreign currency and jobs; an industry that cannot afford the decrease in trade with such a large market that we have witnessed over the past number of years,” Jensen concluded.