Kenya has stepped up diplomatic efforts with China, renewing calls for quicker approvals and removal of taxes that continue to hold back some of its most important agricultural and livestock exports.
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe on Tuesday met senior officials from the General Administration of China Customs (GACC), where he pushed for faster action on promises made between the two countries.
Kagwe said Kenya’s farm sector is struggling to break into the Chinese market because of persistent duties and lengthy clearance procedures that delay entry of produce such as tea, coffee, avocados, mangoes and meat.
He explained that the tariffs in place are still too heavy for Kenyan exporters, noting that non-roasted coffee attracts 8 percent duty, roasted coffee faces 20 percent, tea is taxed 15 percent and avocados up to 20 percent.
“We urge GACC to fast-track the move toward zero duty on these flagship commodities to help rebalance trade between the two countries,” he said.
During the meeting, Kagwe raised concerns about the widening trade gap, pointing out that Kenya bought goods worth about USD 4.5 billion (Sh581.5 billion) from China in 2024, while its exports to the Asian nation were valued at only USD 290 million (Sh37.5 billion). Most of the exported produce consisted of raw agricultural items, mainly tea and avocados.
He said the imbalance cannot continue and called for quicker tariff removal alongside prompt Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) clearances to help unlock long-delayed access for many Kenyan products.
Kagwe said the two countries already have a draft bilateral trade arrangement designed to eliminate tariffs on key agricultural goods, but delays in finalising the agreement have made it difficult for farmers and exporters who depend on the Chinese market.
“The agreement reached between H.E President William Samoei Ruto and H.E President Xi Jinping in Beijing must now move from promise to action, especially in the interest of Kenya’s rural producers,” he said.
He added that Kenya has completed nearly all the technical work needed for access. The Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (Kephis) has confirmed readiness for exports including fresh mangoes, dried chillies, green grams, dried fruits and plant-based medicinal materials, all awaiting GACC approval.
Kagwe said Kenya is prepared to increase shipments immediately once China gives the green light.
He also urged China to support wider cooperation that goes beyond tariff issues, including joint work in research, value chain development, improved laboratory capacity and specialist training through exchange programmes for scientists and technical teams.
He emphasised the importance of clearing livestock export requests that have been pending for more than two years, saying such a move would open huge opportunities for farmers and processors targeting the Chinese market.
“Kenya is ready, aligned, and committed, and it is time for policy commitments to translate into real volumes, container movement, and expanded access for Kenyan farmers in the Chinese market,” he said.
