Kenya is positioning its agriculture sector toward an export-led industrialization as duty-free access to the Chinese market for farm produce takes effect from May 1, a policy change that authorities said will boost farmers' incomes, encourage investment in agro-processing and strengthen economic cooperation between Nairobi and Beijing.

This comes as China announced in February that starting May 1, it will fully implement a zero-tariff policy for imports from 53 African nations with whom it has diplomatic ties, boosting trade ties and supporting African exports.

Mutahi Kagwe, Kenya's cabinet secretary for agriculture and livestock development, said on Monday that the new tariff arrangement is expected to enhance the competitiveness of key exports such as tea, coffee, avocados and macadamia nuts in a consumer market of more than 1.4 billion people.

Kagwe said under the new framework, a wide range of Kenyan agricultural products — including fresh and frozen avocados, macadamia nuts, cut flowers, vegetables, herbs and other horticultural produce — will enter China with zero tariffs. Previously, import duties varied by product category.

"It opens opportunities for Kenyan farmers and exporters to access one of the world's largest markets," he said after meeting Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Guo Haiyan in Nairobi.

He said the removal of tariffs will support Kenya's efforts to expand value-added exports and reduce reliance on shipments of raw agricultural commodities.

Such partnerships, he added, could help strengthen agricultural value chains, create rural employment opportunities and increase farm incomes while contributing to broader industrial growth.

"Now that we have duty-free access, the focus should be on increasing value addition and processing so that Kenya can benefit more from agricultural trade," Kagwe said, urging local investors to partner with Chinese companies to establish agro-processing facilities targeting export markets.

Kagwe also emphasized the importance of maintaining high quality standards to sustain market access, calling on regulatory agencies and farmers in Kenya to ensure Kenyan produce meets China's phytosanitary requirements.

"Quality assurance will be critical as exports expand. Our regulatory institutions must remain firm to ensure compliance with international standards," he said.

Guo noted that agricultural trade between the two countries has continued to grow in recent years, with Kenyan products gaining greater recognition among Chinese consumers.

Kenya's coffee and tea exports to China reached $24 million last year, accounting for 10.8 percent of the country's agricultural exports to the Chinese market and representing a year-on-year growth of 8.8 percent, according to Kagwe. Exports of fresh and frozen avocados and macadamia nuts totaled $20 million, accounting for 8.8 percent of agricultural shipments.

Guo said China remains committed to expanding agricultural cooperation with Kenya under the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, including support for market access, technical collaboration and capacity-building initiatives.

Deeper cooperation

The cabinet secretary said they are also seeking deeper cooperation in agricultural technology transfer and training, including internship opportunities for students from local agricultural institutions to gain exposure to modern farming and processing techniques.

Analysts said the introduction of duty-free access will mark a significant step in Kenya's strategy to leverage agriculture as a driver of export growth and industrial transformation, while further strengthening trade ties between the two countries.

Patrick Lumumba, a Kenyan legal scholar and former head of the country's anti-corruption agency, said the introduction of full tariff exemptions provides African economies with a significant opening to increase exports to China while advancing domestic industrialization and value addition.

The development, while reflecting China's structured approach to market access, should also encourage African countries to better organize their own markets, deepen regional integration and pursue more coherent policies aimed at processing raw materials — including minerals and agricultural commodities — into higher-value products, Lumumba said in an interview with Xinhua.

sharon@chinadailyafrica.com