South Africa’s 2026/27 stone fruit export season has commenced one to two weeks earlier than the previous year, according to a recent report from Hortgro, the industry association for South African deciduous fruit producers. The forecast indicates a 3% decrease in total export volume compared to last season, although individual fruit categories are expected to show varying trends. Exports of nectarines are projected to rise, apricot volumes are expected to remain stable, while exports of peaches and plums are anticipated to decline.
South African fresh peaches, nectarines, plums, and apricots gained access to the Chinese market in November 2025. The first shipments, which included sugar plums and nectarines, arrived in February 2026. Data from China’s General Administration of Customs revealed that during the past export season, the country imported 250.6 metric tons of fresh plums and 19.4 metric tons of fresh peaches and nectarines from South Africa.
Stone fruit-growing regions in South Africa experienced dry conditions during the 2026 Southern Hemisphere winter. However, significant rainfall in May improved dam water levels across key production areas in the Western Cape, and early-season fruit development advanced by about two weeks ahead of schedule.
According to the 2025 Tree Census, the area planted with stone fruit in South Africa has shown mixed trends from 2020 to 2025. While the area for fresh-market apricots has remained relatively stable, the land planted with fresh-market peaches has fallen by 22%, and plum plantings decreased by 8%. Conversely, nectarine plantings saw a notable 28% increase, particularly between 2021 and 2022, contributing to recent growth in nectarine export volumes.
Forecasts for 2026/27 Stone Fruit Exports
Hortgro’s latest forecasts for specific stone fruit categories are as follows:
Apricots: The planted area is stable, with expectations for larger fruit sizes this season. Exports are forecast at 766,000 cartons (4.75 kilograms per carton), a 2% increase from the 750,000 cartons exported in 2025/26.
Peaches: Despite normal fruit set in main production areas, exports are expected to drop. Predictions suggest peach exports will total 2.48 million cartons (2.5 kilograms per carton), down 7% from 2.66 million cartons the previous season.
Nectarines: Nectarines have seen accelerated development this year, particularly in the Western Cape. Exports are forecast to reach 13.81 million cartons (2.5 kilograms per carton), which marks a 9% increase from 12.62 million cartons in the 2025/26 season.
Plums: Overall plum exports are expected to decline slightly, with forecasts indicating 14.58 million cartons (5.25 kilograms per carton), an 8% reduction from 15.85 million cartons from the prior season.
Cherries: While Hortgro has not revised its cherry export forecast, a previous report indicated a potential decline in production by 10-15% from last season’s 490,000 cartons (5 kilograms per carton). As there is no formal market access to China yet, cherry exporters in northern South Africa are projected to miss out on opportunities in that market.
Clive Garrett, marketing manager at ZZ2, a cherry producer in northern South Africa, stated that the company began harvesting cherries in early October, completing the process by the end of the month.
