South Africa Stone Fruit Export Season Opens Early; Northern Cherries Shut Out of Chinese Market（Nov 5）

South Africa Stone Fruit Export Season Opens Early; Northern Cherries Shut Out of Chinese Market

Hortgro, the South African stone fruit industry association, recently announced that the 2026/2027 stone fruit export season has begun, one to two weeks earlier than the previous season. Total export volume is projected to decline 3% year-on-year, with divergent trends across categories: nectarine exports are expected to increase, apricots to remain largely stable, and peaches and plums to decline.

China Market Access

South African peaches, plums, apricots, and prunes received market access from the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) in November 2025, with first shipments of prunes and peaches arriving in February 2026. Although the first arrivals came midway through the season, GACC data shows that in the inaugural season, China imported 250.6 tons of fresh South African plums (including prunes) and 19.4 tons of fresh peaches (including nectarines).

Growing Conditions

During the 2026 winter (Northern Hemisphere summer), South African stone fruit growing regions experienced relatively dry conditions. Significant rainfall and storm activity in May improved water reserves across multiple core production areas in the Western Cape. Fruit development was notably earlier than usual, with early-season fruit ripening approximately two weeks ahead of a normal season.

Orchard Census

The 2025 orchard census revealed mixed trends in South African stone fruit planting areas from 2020 to 2025. Fresh apricot area remained relatively stable, down 4%; fresh peach area declined 22%; and plum area decreased 8%. In contrast, nectarine area grew 28%, with the largest expansion occurring in 2021-2022. The increase in planted area has driven significant growth in nectarine export volume in recent years.

2026/2027 Export Forecasts by Category

Apricots: Orchard area is relatively stable, and fruit is expected to be larger this season. Exports are projected at 766,000 cartons (4.75 kg/carton), up 2% from 750,000 cartons in 2025/2026.

Peaches: Fruit set in main production areas is normal, though most varieties in the Ceres region of the Western Cape are expected to see lower export volumes. Exports are projected at 2.48 million cartons (2.5 kg/carton), down 7% from 2.66 million cartons in 2025/2026.

Nectarines: Unlike previous years, Western Cape nectarine growth is ahead of northern production areas. New nectarine varieties typically reach peak production faster than older orchards, supporting volume growth. Multiple regions report good fruit set with high early-season potential. Exports are projected at 13.81 million cartons (2.5 kg/carton), up 9% from 12.62 million cartons in 2025/2026.

Plums: Fruit set feedback varies by region and variety, but overall indications suggest a slight decline in export volume. Exports are projected at 14.58 million cartons (5.25 kg/carton), down 8% from 15.85 million cartons in 2025/2026.

Cherries

Hortgro did not update its cherry export forecast in this report, but an early October projection indicated that cherry production is expected to decline approximately 10-15% from the previous season's 490,000 cartons (5 kg/carton). An interview with South Africa's Farmer's Weekly suggested the decline could reach as high as 30%.

Clive Garrett, marketing manager at ZZ2, a major northern South African cherry producer, stated that the company began harvesting cherries in early October and completed harvest by the end of October. Since cherry exports to China have not yet been formally authorized, northern South African cherry exporters are expected to be excluded from the Chinese market this season.

Source: International Fruit and Vegetable News