The South African cherry industry is actively preparing for entry, with hopes of making the first shipment to China next winter!
Published 2025년 12월 2일
Tridge summary
Data from South Africa's Hortgro shows that in 2024, South African cherry exports accounted for only 0.1% of the global total, while Chile's share was as high as 49%. However, the scale of South African cherry cultivation has seen exponential growth, increasing from 185 hectares in 2012 to 819 hectares in 2024.
The Western Cape province is the main production area, accounting for 61% of South Africa's cherry cultivation area. There are approximately 79 varieties of cherries grown in South Africa, with Royal Hazel, Royal Tioga, and Lapins accounting for about 34% of the total area. Forty-one percent of all cherry trees have not yet entered the fruit-bearing period, and production is expected to increase significantly in the coming years.
A 2025 survey covering 99% of the national planting area showed that 58% of South African cherries are used for export, 28% are sold on the local market, less than 1% are processed, and the remainder is discarded. In the 2024/25 season, 60% of South African cherry exports went to the UK, 18% to the EU, and 12% to the Middle East. South African cherry exports start from the 41st week, about two weeks earlier than Chile, with the peak export period concentrated between the 46th and 52nd weeks.
The South African cherry industry is optimistic about the current market access negotiations with China. Both sides are expected to start remote video inspections by the end of this year, which, if successful, will pave the way for the first export to China in the 2026/27 season.
Currently, the South African cherry industry is conducting a second cold treatment experiment on cherries to ensure compliance with the quarantine requirements agreed upon with Chinese customs. The results of the first experiment were good, but the second experiment's data is still needed for verification.
The South African cherry industry is working closely with the Ministry of Agriculture and other departments to actively respond to the newly discovered spotted-wing drosophila found domestically. This pest caused severe damage to blueberries in the previous season and could also threaten cherries, and farmers are closely monitoring the situation. Several chemical agents have been urgently registered to support integrated pest management. Under ideal conditions, the spotted-wing drosophila has a very short life cycle. Therefore, once its population starts to grow, growers must act quickly.
Currently, harvesting has ended in northern regions such as Mpumalanga province, while harvesting is ongoing in the Free State and Western Cape. Yields in the northern regions exceeded expectations, and the Western Cape is also expected to have a bountiful harvest. This season's weather has been very favorable, with sufficient low temperatures, timely rainfall, and no frost damage, and the harvest is expected to exceed that of the 2024/25 season.
Image source: Hortgro 2025 International Fruit and Vegetable Report. All rights reserved. For reprint permission, contact the International Fruit and Vegetable Report and credit the source.
The Western Cape province is the main production area, accounting for 61% of South Africa's cherry cultivation area. There are approximately 79 varieties of cherries grown in South Africa, with Royal Hazel, Royal Tioga, and Lapins accounting for about 34% of the total area. Forty-one percent of all cherry trees have not yet entered the fruit-bearing period, and production is expected to increase significantly in the coming years.
A 2025 survey covering 99% of the national planting area showed that 58% of South African cherries are used for export, 28% are sold on the local market, less than 1% are processed, and the remainder is discarded. In the 2024/25 season, 60% of South African cherry exports went to the UK, 18% to the EU, and 12% to the Middle East. South African cherry exports start from the 41st week, about two weeks earlier than Chile, with the peak export period concentrated between the 46th and 52nd weeks.
The South African cherry industry is optimistic about the current market access negotiations with China. Both sides are expected to start remote video inspections by the end of this year, which, if successful, will pave the way for the first export to China in the 2026/27 season.
Currently, the South African cherry industry is conducting a second cold treatment experiment on cherries to ensure compliance with the quarantine requirements agreed upon with Chinese customs. The results of the first experiment were good, but the second experiment's data is still needed for verification.
The South African cherry industry is working closely with the Ministry of Agriculture and other departments to actively respond to the newly discovered spotted-wing drosophila found domestically. This pest caused severe damage to blueberries in the previous season and could also threaten cherries, and farmers are closely monitoring the situation. Several chemical agents have been urgently registered to support integrated pest management. Under ideal conditions, the spotted-wing drosophila has a very short life cycle. Therefore, once its population starts to grow, growers must act quickly.
Currently, harvesting has ended in northern regions such as Mpumalanga province, while harvesting is ongoing in the Free State and Western Cape. Yields in the northern regions exceeded expectations, and the Western Cape is also expected to have a bountiful harvest. This season's weather has been very favorable, with sufficient low temperatures, timely rainfall, and no frost damage, and the harvest is expected to exceed that of the 2024/25 season.
Image source: Hortgro 2025 International Fruit and Vegetable Report. All rights reserved. For reprint permission, contact the International Fruit and Vegetable Report and credit the source.
Original content
Data from South Africa's Hortgro shows that in 2024, South African cherry exports accounted for only 0.1% of the global total, while Chile's share was as high as 49%. However, the scale of South African cherry cultivation has grown exponentially, increasing from 185 hectares in 2012 to 819 hectares in 2024. The Western Cape province is the main production area, accounting for 61% of South Africa's cherry cultivation area. There are approximately 79 varieties of cherries grown in South Africa, with Royal Hazel, Royal Tioga, and Lapins accounting for about 34% of the total area. Forty-one percent of all cherry trees have not yet entered the fruit-bearing period, and production is expected to increase significantly in the coming years. A 2025 survey covering 99% of the national planting area showed that 58% of South African cherries are used for export, 28% are sold in the local market, less than 1% are processed, and the remainder is discarded. During the 2024/25 production season, ...
Source: Guojiguoshu
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