NAIROBI, Kenya May 9-The first consignment of Kenyan exports to China under the newly implemented zero-tariff agreement has arrived in the Asian market, escalating trade relations between Nairobi and Beijing.
Chinese authorities announced on Friday that 6.9 tonnes of fresh Kenyan avocados were among the first African agricultural products to enter China under the tariff-free arrangement that came into effect on May 1, 2026.
The shipment arrived alongside 24 tonnes of apples exported from South Africa, signaling the beginning of expanded African access to the Chinese market under the new trade framework.
According to DU Xiaohui, the Kenyan produce formed part of the inaugural batch of imports benefiting from the policy.
“24 tonnes of apples from South Africa and 6.9 tonnes of Kenyan fresh avocados were among the first arrivals of African agricultural products under the Zero Tariff Policy,” DU Xiaohui said late Friday.
The zero-tariff agreement is expected to boost agricultural exports by lowering the cost of entry into one of the world’s largest consumer markets, while also enhancing trade competitiveness for farmers and exporters.
Kenya has in recent years, increased avocado exports to China following negotiations that opened the Chinese market to fresh produce from the country, with the crop emerging as one of Kenya’s fastest-growing horticultural exports.
On 24th March, Kenya flagged off its first consignment of exports to China under a newly implemented zero-tariff arrangement, a move officials say could help narrow the trade imbalance and expand market access for Kenyan goods.
The shipment, comprising fresh avocados, avocado oil, hides and skins, coffee, and green beans, will benefit from China’s policy granting zero-tariff treatment on 100 per cent of tariff lines for 53 African countries, including Kenya, according to the Ministry of Trade.
The consignment was flagged off at the Nairobi SGR Terminus by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, alongside Han Zheng, Vice President of China.
Under the new arrangement, Kenyan agricultural products will now enter China at zero tariff, removing duties that previously reduced the competitiveness of Kenyan exports in the Chinese market.
Products expected to benefit from the duty-free access include tea, coffee, fresh and frozen avocados, macadamia nuts, flowers, fresh horticultural produce, vegetables and herbs, as well as other agricultural commodities produced across the country.
Previously, several Kenyan agricultural exports entering China attracted import duties depending on the product category.
Tea and coffee products faced tariffs of about 6 to 15 percent, while nuts such as macadamia attracted duties of roughly 10 to 15 percent. Fresh horticultural produce and vegetables often attracted tariffs ranging between 10 and 25 percent, while cut flowers faced tariffs of about 4 percent.
The elimination of these tariffs is expected to significantly boost the competitiveness of Kenyan agricultural products in the Chinese market of more than 1.4 billion consumers.
Ambassador Guo noted that agricultural trade between the two countries has been steadily growing, adding that Kenya is already an important agricultural exporter to China.
She revealed that in 2025 Kenya’s exports of coffee and tea to China reached $24.46 million, accounting for 10.8 percent of Kenya’s agricultural exports to China, representing a year-on-year growth of 8.8 percent.
The latest development is also expected to strengthen economic ties between Kenya and China as both countries seek to deepen bilateral trade and expand market opportunities for agricultural products.