South African exporters are receiving a significant boost as China implements new zero-tariff access for African partners starting May 1. This initiative removes trade barriers, such as the 10% tariff on apples, aiding diversification efforts.

History was made this Labour Day, as China’s southern Shenzhen Bay port cleared 24 tonnes of South African apples and central Hunan province processed 6,000 bottles of South African wine – the first time these goods had reached the Asian economic giant under a new zero-tariff arrangement. The duty-free access for African partners from May 1, which saw the 10 per cent tariff rate for apples removed, arrived as a lifeline for South African exporters looking to diversify away from increasingly...