SOUTH AFRICA · TRADE
Key Facts
- What is happening China’s ambassador says South African exports to China rose about 25% in May to August after tariffs fell.
- Why it matters China was South Africa’s largest export market in September, taking 11.7% of exports; the United States took 7.0%.
- The numbers Exports to China reached about US$5.3 billion in four months; September’s national trade surplus was about US$1.2 billion.
- Who is who Wu Peng is China’s ambassador to South Africa; he made the claim at a forum of a former president’s foundation.
- What to watch Whether South Africa’s next customs release backs the 25% gain and whether Chinese carmakers and cement firms invest.
- What it means for you South African goods now enter China duty-free, which sharpens competition for US sellers of similar goods there.
China’s ambassador says South African exports to China rose about 25% since Beijing removed tariffs on African goods in May. Official customs data confirm China is South Africa’s largest single export market.
China’s ambassador to South Africa, Wu Peng, says exports to China rose about 25% between May and August. He spoke at a forum run by the Kgalema Motlanthe Foundation, named after a former South African president.
For US readers, the figures show where South African goods are heading. In September China was South Africa’s largest single export destination, ahead of Germany and the United States.
What China Changed in May
From 1 May 2026, China applies zero tariffs to goods from the 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic relations. Beijing says this covers 100% of its tariff lines and carries no political conditions.
In December 2024 China gave the same treatment to 33 least developed African countries. South Africa is not a least developed country and was outside that earlier group.
The ambassador said the policy could help South Africa sell higher-value goods and reduce its reliance on mineral exports. He named Chery, a Chinese carmaker, and West China Cement as firms investing or interested in investing.
The Ambassador’s Trade Figures
Mr Wu said total trade was nearly US$15 billion in May to August, up almost 24% on a year earlier. South African exports to China rose about 25% and Chinese exports to South Africa rose 23%.
He put South African exports to China at about US$5.3 billion over the four months. The figures he cited show farm exports of nearly US$500 million, up more than 35%.
The ambassador also cited growth in machinery and electronics, chemicals and passenger vehicles. These are his figures, and the official September release gives no matching China total.
What the Official Customs Data Show
South Africa’s tax and customs agency, SARS, published preliminary September figures on Friday, 30 October. Exports were 190.6 billion rand (about US$11.4 billion) and imports 170.8 billion rand (about US$10.2 billion).
That left a surplus of 19.8 billion rand (about US$1.2 billion), against a revised 19.0 billion rand (about US$1.1 billion) in August. Exports rose 2.2% from September 2025, while imports rose 3.6%.
China took 11.7% of South Africa’s exports in September and supplied 23.7% of its imports. The United States took 7.0% of exports and supplied 7.0% of imports.
Over January to September the surplus was 169.0 billion rand (about US$10.1 billion). A year earlier it was 117.5 billion rand (about US$7.0 billion).
SARS names China only among its top-five partners in the release, so the 25% figure is not confirmed there. Detailed country data sit in its trade statistics portal.
What It Means for You
US exporters that compete with South African producers in China now face rivals that pay no Chinese tariff. The United States is South Africa’s third-largest export market and third-largest import source, at 7.0% each.
Investors with exposure to South African farms, carmakers or miners should watch whether tariff-free access lifts volumes. The ambassador’s figures show gains in farm goods, machinery, chemicals and cars.
Related Rio Times reports include South Africa and the United States, Relations Explained and Who Backs Whom in Africa 2026. More coverage sits on the South Africa hub.
What Is Not Known
The 25% rise and the US$5.3 billion total come from the ambassador and are not yet matched by SARS country data. How much of the rise comes from tariff cuts rather than prices or mineral volumes is unclear.
No investment amounts have been announced for Chery or West China Cement. Whether other African exporters saw similar gains has not been published.
What Comes Next
SARS publishes preliminary trade statistics monthly at 2 p.m. South African time. The next release will show whether the September surplus and China’s export share hold.
The zero-tariff offer does not by itself prove a lasting trade shift. Only several months of customs data will show that.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is China’s zero-tariff policy for Africa?
From 1 May 2026 China charges no tariff on goods from 53 African countries it has diplomatic ties with. Beijing says this covers 100% of its tariff lines.
How much did South African exports to China rise?
China’s ambassador says about 25% in May to August compared with a year earlier, to roughly US$5.3 billion. Official South African country data have not yet confirmed that figure.
Is China South Africa’s biggest export market?
Yes, for September 2026. China took 11.7% of exports, ahead of Germany at 7.3% and the United States at 7.0%.
What was South Africa’s trade surplus in September?
Preliminary data show 19.8 billion rand (about US$1.2 billion), on exports of 190.6 billion rand (about US$11.4 billion). Exports rose 2.2% from a year earlier.
Sources: South African Revenue Service, preliminary trade statistics for September 2026; South African Revenue Service, trade statistics overview; Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, zero-tariff treatment for 53 African countries; statements by Chinese Ambassador Wu Peng at the Kgalema Motlanthe Foundation forum (conversions at 16.67 rand per US$, rates of 1 November 2026; all accessed 1 November 2026).
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief
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