Kenya has recorded a major milestone in trade relations with China after the first shipments of Kenyan goods exported under China’s new zero-tariff policy arrived at Chinese ports, opening fresh opportunities for farmers, exporters and manufacturers.
The first consignment included fresh avocados, crude avocado oil, coffee, green beans, hides and skins exported under the preferential trade arrangement announced by Beijing for African countries.
According to the Chinese Embassy in Nairobi, 6.9 tonnes of fresh Kenyan avocados arrived at Guangzhou Port on May 1, while another 320 tonnes of Kenyan crude avocado oil docked at Dalian Port on May 9.
The shipments form part of the inaugural 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 countries to benefit from the zero-tariff arrangement, which is expected to boost access for Kenyan products into the vast Chinese market.
Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Guo Haiyan noted that the initiative is expected to deepen trade cooperation between the two countries while increasing earnings for Kenyan farmers and exporters.
The policy removes tariffs on selected products from African countries, making them more competitive in the Chinese market and encouraging higher exports.
Chinese officials say the arrangement forms part of Beijing’s broader strategy to expand economic cooperation with Africa through trade and investment rather than aid alone.
Director General of the Department of African Affairs in China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Du Xiaohui, said the zero-tariff programme reflects China’s commitment to shared growth and inclusive globalisation.
“China takes the Zero Tariff Policy as an example to promote common opening-up through its own opening-up, to foster a sounder environment for its foreign trade, investment and development cooperation, and to cultivate new advantages in international cooperation and competition,” Du said.
He added that the programme seeks to ensure the benefits of China-Africa cooperation are felt directly by ordinary citizens on both sides.
“Zero Tariff Policy makes it possible to let the fruits of China-Africa cooperation benefit the people of both sides,” he said.
“More and more high-quality agricultural and food products from Africa are reaching the dinner tables of ordinary Chinese people, thus creating jobs and increasing incomes for Africa.”
Kenya has increasingly positioned agriculture exports as a major pillar of its trade relationship with China, especially after gaining access for products such as avocados, stevia and aquatic products in recent years.
The arrival of the avocado and avocado oil shipments is expected to strengthen Kenya’s standing as one of Africa’s leading avocado exporters and expand opportunities for value addition in the horticulture sector.
The export programme could also help narrow the trade imbalance between Kenya and China by increasing the volume of Kenyan goods entering the Chinese market.
The government has expressed optimism that more Kenyan exporters will take advantage of the zero-tariff arrangement to access new consumers and grow foreign exchange earnings.
