China axes tariffs for African imports, but what does this mean for South African wine?
From 1 May, China has axed tariffs for all but one African country, so what does this mean for the future of South African wine? db reports.
Beijing has slashed tariffs on African goods in a bid to address a trade imbalance between the continent and China, in a two-year pact that covers a diverse range of goods from seafood, to minerals, to, of course, wine.
The deal comes under the China-Africa Economic Partnership Agreement, which now allows products from 53 African nations to enter China tariff-free.
On 1 May, the day the new deal came into force, Shenzhen Bay port in southern China cleared 6,000 bottles of South African wine – marking the first time that the wine entered the harbour without a tariff ranging from 14%-20% attached.
The deal will initially last until 1 May 2028, meaning the wine sector has two years to bolster South Africa’s trade relations with China, and set the groundwork for longer-term trade agreements.
Christo Conradie, stakeholder management and market access manager at South Africa Wine, told South African outlet wines.co.za, that zero tariffs present a “significant step forward for the South African wine industry”.
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Siobhan Thompson, CEO of Wines of South Africa (WoSA), agreed that the development presents a “crucial opportunity”, allowing producers to compete on a more level playing field, showcasing the “quality, diversity and value” of the industry.
The deal follows advocacy and engagement from the industry aiming to address structural barriers to trade. The axing of tariffs is forecasted to boost price competitiveness, reviving trade interest and supporting re-entry into the market.
Despite this, the deal isn’t a golden ticket: when it comes to elevating South African wine’s position in the Asian nation, challenges. persist. At the moment, South African wine accounts for just 1% of export volume to China, with 16 countries exporting more wine.
Added to this, China’s wine market has shrunk in recent years, with 2025 statistics revealing volumes down by nearly 70% from 2019, pointing to a structural transition in how wine is purchased and drunk.
Industry experts have warned that tariff removal itself will not secure success, largely due to intense competition.
“This is about building a sustainable, long-term position for South African wine in China through partnership, consistency and investment,” Thompson told NovaNews.
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