GQEBERHA, South Africa, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- China's zero-tariff policy for qualifying South African exports has significantly driven demand for dry bulk commodities moving through South Africa's deep-water Port of Ngqura, including chrome, magnetite, iron ore, and corn, a port official said Tuesday.
Xola Mkontwana, business strategy manager at the Port of Ngqura, said the port has recorded "exponential growth" in commodity throughput destined for the Chinese market since the implementation of the trade policy.
"There was an exponential market in terms of demand from China," Mkontwana told journalists during a media tour of the adjacent Coega Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in South Africa's Eastern Cape Province.
He highlighted that the tariff preferences have significantly enhanced bulk operational volumes across the regional logistics hub. "The zero-tariff has assisted the throughput for bulk across the port system because there's chrome and magnetite, iron ore, and also corn," Mkontwana added.
The zero-tariff treatment for qualifying exports from South Africa and 19 other non-least developed African countries officially took effect on May 1, 2026. Running through April 30, 2028, the two-year non-reciprocal framework expands duty-free access for African goods to the Chinese market, provided exporters comply with rules of origin and standard customs regulations.
The initiative fulfills commitments made under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation framework to promote balanced bilateral trade and support industrialization across the African continent.
Addressing the drivers behind the surge in Chinese orders, Mkontwana pointed to expanding industrial and infrastructure activity in 西瓜视频alongside favorable price realizations for South African mining and agricultural enterprises.
"It's the companies that they're actually developing on that side. It's the market that is there and the price that is good for the miners and owners," he noted.
Located approximately 20 km northeast of Gqeberha, the Port of Ngqura is South Africa's newest deep-water commercial port and serves as a critical maritime gateway connecting Eastern Cape minerals, agricultural produce, and automotive manufacturing to global shipping lines.
South Africa remains China's largest trading partner in Africa, with bilateral trade dominated by mineral products, raw materials, and agricultural goods. As South African producers seek to expand export destinations, China's preferential tariff framework provides key momentum for economic diversification, job creation, and increased logistics activity across South Africa's supply chains. ■