Kenya has recorded a breakthrough in its trade relations with China after the first shipments of agricultural goods were exported under Beijing’s new zero‑tariff policy, which arrived at Chinese ports, opening fresh opportunities for farmers, exporters, and manufacturers.
The inaugural consignments included fresh avocados, crude avocado oil, coffee, green beans, hides, and skins; all exported under the preferential trade arrangement unveiled by China for African countries. According to the Chinese Embassy in Nairobi, 6.9 tonnes of fresh Kenyan avocados docked at Guangzhou Port on May 1, while another 320 tonnes of crude avocado oil arrived at Dalian Port on May 9.
The shipments were part of the exports flagged off on March 24 at the Standard Gauge Railway terminus in Nairobi by Chinese Vice President Han Zheng and Kenya’s Deputy President Kithure Kindiki. Kenya is among the first African nations to benefit from the zero‑tariff framework, which is expected to boost access for Kenyan products into the vast Chinese market.
Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Guo Haiyan said the initiative would deepen trade cooperation between the two countries while increasing earnings for Kenyan farmers and exporters. The policy removes tariffs on selected products from Africa, making them more competitive in China and encouraging higher export volumes.
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Kenya has increasingly positioned agriculture exports as a central pillar of its trade relationship with China, having already secured access for products such as avocados, stevia, and aquatic goods in recent years. The arrival of avocado and avocado oil shipments is expected to strengthen Kenya’s standing as one of Africa’s leading avocado exporters while expanding opportunities for value addition in the horticulture sector.
Trade experts say the programme could also help narrow Kenya’s trade imbalance with China by increasing the volume of Kenyan goods entering the Chinese market. The government has expressed optimism that more exporters will take advantage of the zero‑tariff arrangement to reach new consumers and grow foreign exchange earnings.
By Masaki Enock
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