The General Administration of China Customs (GACC) has committed to accelerating the clearance of Kenyan agricultural and livestock products into the Chinese market, as Kenya pushes to unlock long-delayed export pathways for key commodities such as coffee, tea, avocados, mangoes, dried chillies, green grams, dried fruits, and various livestock products.
Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Mutahi Kagwe, held high-level discussions with senior GACC officials on the matter.
The Chinese delegation was led by GACC Vice Minister Wang Jun, accompanied by Sun Renhong (Director General, Department of Duty Collection), Zheng Wei (Director, Department of Animal and Plant Quarantine), Sun Junchao (Deputy Director, General Office), and Jiang Huixin (Deputy Director, Department of International Cooperation).
Also present were Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Ms. Guo Haiyan, Minister Counsellor Mr. Zhou Zhencheng, and Second Secretary Mr. Zeng Hui.
During the engagement, CS Kagwe noted that China continues to levy high tariffs on Kenyan produce—8% on non-roasted coffee, 20% on roasted coffee, 15% on tea, and up to 20% on avocados.
He urged GACC to expedite efforts toward achieving zero duty on these flagship commodities to help correct the persistent trade imbalance between the two countries.
The CS highlighted that Kenya–China trade remains significantly skewed, with Kenya importing far more than it exports.
In 2024, Kenya imported approximately USD 4.5 billion worth of goods from China, compared to just USD 290 million in exports, largely comprising raw agricultural products such as tea and avocados.
He emphasized that this deficit is unsustainable and must be addressed through urgent measures, including tariff removal and faster SPS clearance for Kenyan exports.
Kagwe further explained that Kenya and China are finalizing a bilateral trade framework intended to eliminate tariffs on major Kenyan agricultural exports.
However, delays in signing and operationalizing the agreement have caused concern among farmers and exporters.
He stressed that the commitments made by President William Samoei Ruto and President Xi Jinping in Beijing must now move from promise to implementation, particularly to safeguard the interests of Kenya’s rural producers.
