CAPE TOWN, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- South Africa is set to export about 200,000 tonnes of soybeans to China in November, in a deal expected to provide a much-needed boost to the country's growing soybean industry and help reduce domestic stocks, local media reported on Friday.
The deal follows China's implementation, effective May 1, of a zero-tariff policy for 53 African countries that have diplomatic relations with Beijing. South African soybeans previously faced a 3 percent duty, while the zero-tariff arrangement gives them an estimated advantage of 15 U.S. dollars per tonne over competitors in South America, according to the report.
The transaction represents a "much-needed boost for the local industry, especially to secure future market opportunities," the South African Cereals and Oilseeds Trade Association (SACOTA) was quoted as saying.
According to the report, South Africa first exported soybeans to China in 2023, when three vessels carried a combined 147,000 tonnes. The latest deal will be only the country's second soybean transaction with China.
The export deal came after South Africa produced a record soybean crop in the 2025/26 summer grain season, with the Crop Estimates Committee forecasting a harvest of 2.8 million tonnes in April.
SACOTA said it will continue preparations for the soybean export deal, including completing China's annual registration process for traders, export terminals and silos. ■