BEIJING, China – Kenya is pushing for a preferential trade agreement with China to boost exports of key agricultural products, President William Ruto revealed during his ongoing state visit to Beijing.
Speaking at a diaspora Town Hall meeting in the Chinese capital, Ruto emphasized the need for tariff-free access to the Chinese market for Kenyan tea, coffee, macadamia, and avocados—products currently subject to duties that hinder their competitiveness.
“Chinese companies admit that Kenyan tea and coffee are premium, but today, they are subject to tariffs, and that is what impedes their export,” Ruto noted.
He added that Kenya aims to mirror trade benefits similar to those provided by the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which offers duty-free, quota-free access to the U.S. market.
“We will discuss how we can have a preferential trade agreement to give Kenya the same kind of access. That way, we can export more to China—and export better products,” he said.
The president also expressed Kenya’s intention to shift from raw commodity exports to processed agricultural goods, a move aimed at increasing value and creating jobs domestically.
Ruto’s trip to China has already yielded significant outcomes, including the signing of a multi-billion-shilling agreement with Chinese officials.
Talks between President Ruto and President Xi Jinping are also expected to cover broader issues, including China’s investment in Kenya’s infrastructure, peace and security in the region, and strengthening cooperation among Global South nations.
Kenya’s avocado exports to China have surged tenfold since trade began in August 2022.
According to official Chinese data, imports grew from 443.6 tonnes in 2022 to 4,324.1 tonnes in 2023.
China has also become a major buyer of Kenyan macadamia, particularly favouring raw, in-shell nuts.
Kenya ranks as the world’s third-largest macadamia producer, following South Africa and Australia.
China has long been a key partner in Kenya’s infrastructure development, contributing to major projects such as the Standard Gauge Railway, Nairobi Expressway, Lamu Port, and the Kipevu Oil Terminal.
Ruto’s push for a preferential trade pact signals a strategic pivot towards deepening economic ties with China while securing more sustainable export pathways for Kenyan farmers and producers.
