South African Apples and Pears Gaining Foothold in China

Over the past five years, China’s apple imports have shown a fluctuating upward trend, rising from 75,748 metric tons in 2020 to 97,516 metric tons in 2024. The first shipment of South African apples arrived in China in January 2015, and South Africa has since risen to become the country’s second-largest apple supplier.

On March 5, Hortgro Pome, South Africa’s apple and pear industry association, hosted an online seminar where Jacques du Preez, general manager for trade and markets, presented a comprehensive overview of South Africa’s apple and pear production and export status. He also engaged with Chinese importers to discuss the current landscape and future prospects of South African apples and pears on the Chinese market. Furthermore, du Preez revealed that South African stone fruits are expected to gain China market access this year, allowing them to supply the Chinese market during the winter and spring seasons.

Overview of the South African Apple, Pear and Stone Fruit Industry

Du Preez noted that while South Africa’s apple production is relatively small compared with China’s vast domestic output, the country remains the largest apple producer in the Southern Hemisphere. Each year, South African growers harvest around 2 million metric tons of apples, pears and stone fruits, with exports being the industry’s primary focus.

South Africa has approximately 38,000 hectares of apple and pear cultivation and 16,000 hectares of stone fruit cultivation. Drawing on its extensive experience in exporting to European markets, South Africa has built a highly efficient and mature supply chain, with 88% of its production concentrated in Western Cape province. The country also has world-class controlled atmosphere storage facilities, allowing it to supply apples throughout the year. The peak export season runs from January to May, perfectly aligning with the gap in China’s domestic apple market.

Over the past five years, South Africa’s apple cultivation area has remained relatively stable, with a strong focus on varietal upgrades for older orchards. The new varieties are aimed at Asian countries such as China, featuring significant improvements in fruit appearance. The cultivation area for Fuji apples has increased by 20%, while Red-Bi apples, such as Royal Gala, have grown by 29%, Joya by 258% and Flash Gala (Bigbucks) by nearly 1,200 hectares. The area dedicated to Pink-Bi apples, such as Pink Lady, has expanded by 53%, whereas the cultivation of green apples has significantly declined.

In 2024, South Africa exported 3,075 metric tons of pears to China, of which 53% were Forelle pears, followed by Celina (23%) and Cheeky (21%). South African pears are exported throughout the year, with the peak export months between January and March.

According to du Preez, a delegation from China’s General Administration of Customs conducted inspections of South African stone fruit orchards and packing facilities last year. As a result, the export of apricots, nectarines, peaches, plums and sugar plums to China is now possible for the 2025/26 production season. The next goal for South Africa’s fruit industry is to secure China market access for cherries. South Africa produces approximately 182,000 metric tons of peaches and nectarines (primarily yellow-fleshed nectarines) and 93,000 metric tons of plums annually. The export season runs from October to April, aligning with China’s winter and spring seasons, providing an off-season supply to meet market demand.

Overview of China’s Apple and Pear Imports

Mabel Zhuang, editor-in-chief of Produce Report, noted that China’s total apple imports have displayed a fluctuating upward trend, rising from 75,748 metric tons in 2020 to 97,516 metric tons in 2024. New Zealand remains the top supplier, with a record-high export volume of 66,000 metric tons to China in 2024. South Africa ranks second with 15,000 metric tons, followed by Chile with 9,040 metric tons. As highlighted by these data, China’s main apple suppliers are all located in the Southern Hemisphere.

China’s pear imports typically hover around 10,000 metric tons annually, peaking at 14,000 metric tons in 2023. Among all exporting countries, Belgium was the first to enter the Chinese market and has consistently held the top position. South African pears, which have only been available on the Chinese market for three years, reached an export volume of 3,075 metric tons in 2024, second only to Belgium’s 3,204 metric tons.

South African apples and pears are more affordably priced than those from other countries, making them highly competitive. In recent years, exports to China have seen substantial growth.

Market Performance of South African Apples and Pears in China

Shanghai Shengguo Trading Co. Ltd. has been importing and selling South African apples and pears in recent years. Jason Liu, the company’s international procurement manager, provided an analysis of the current status and future prospects of South African apples and pears on the Chinese market.

Liu explained that South African Fuji apples have a slight tartness, offering a richer flavor compared with domestic Fuji apples. They are crisp, sweet and juicy, making them highly favored by Chinese consumers. Flash Gala apples are known for their high sweetness and vibrant appearance. These appealing qualities, coupled with successful market promotion, have made them an emerging variety in recent years. Royal Beaut apples, with a delicate flesh and a sweet taste, mature early, providing a timing advantage that complements domestic apples.

Although the prices of South African apples have steadily risen in recent years, this has had minimal impact on repeat consumers. In addition to their off-season availability, South African apples distinguish themselves with unique taste and flavor profiles that set them apart from domestic varieties. Currently, the brand image of South African apples is still in its developmental phase and some time will be required to build stronger brand recognition.

South African pears, with their distinct texture and flavor compared with Asian pears, attract consumers seeking diverse taste experiences. Liu particularly highlighted the Forelle pear, which he believes has immense potential among South Africa’s main pear varieties. With its vibrant appearance, well-balanced sweetness and tartness, and long shelf life, the Forelle variety is ideally suited for premium markets.

Finally, Liu assessed the performance of South African apples and pears across multiple sales channels, including supermarkets, e-commerce platforms and premium grocery stores. To drive sales growth on the Chinese market, he recommended focusing on four strategic areas: brand promotion, expanding sales channels, optimizing supply chain management and enhancing market education.

Images: Hortgro Pome