Kenya is pushing for improved access to the Chinese market for its top agricultural exports as part of efforts to open up new trade opportunities for local farmers. President William Ruto, who was on a state visit to China, announced that discussions were underway to secure preferential terms for Kenyan crops such as macadamia, which currently face high tariffs in the Asian market.
He added that Kenya plans to expand its exports beyond raw produce to include processed agricultural products, noting that a preferential trade agreement could offer duty-free, quota-free access to China — similar to the benefits Kenya enjoys under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) with the United States.
The president’s visit comes as Kenya’s avocado exports to China continue to gain ground. In 2023, exports grew tenfold, with China importing 4,324.1 tonnes of Kenyan avocados, up from 443.6 tonnes in 2022. The sharp rise follows years of negotiations, with Kenya officially entering the Chinese avocado market in August 2022.
Macadamia exports have also found a growing market in China, with demand increasing for raw, in-shell nuts. Kenya ranks as the world’s third-largest producer of macadamia, after South Africa and Australia.
If successful, Kenya’s push for a preferential trade deal could unlock new opportunities for the country’s farmers and agribusinesses, while strengthening ties with one of the world’s largest consumer markets.