Kenya will begin exporting agricultural products to China duty-free starting May 1, 2026, Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has announced.
Kagwe made the announcement following a meeting with Chinese Ambassador Guo Haiyan, noting that the move signals the implementation phase of trade agreements secured during President William Ruto’s recent state visit to China.
According to the Cabinet Secretary, the removal of tariffs is part of broader bilateral commitments aimed at deepening agricultural trade and expanding market access for Kenyan exports.
“This is the implementation stage of agreements that were carried forward by His Excellency President William Ruto during his visit to China. It opens a major opportunity for Kenyan farmers and exporters to access one of the world’s largest markets,” Kagwe said.
Under the new arrangement, Kenyan agricultural products will enter the Chinese market at zero tariff, eliminating duties that previously undermined the competitiveness of exports.
Products expected to benefit include tea, coffee, fresh and frozen avocados, macadamia nuts, flowers, fresh horticultural produce, vegetables, herbs, and other agricultural commodities produced across the country.
Previously, Kenyan exports to China were subject to varying import duties depending on the product category. Tea and coffee faced tariffs ranging from 6 to 15 percent, while macadamia nuts attracted duties of approximately 10 to 15 percent. Fresh horticultural produce and vegetables were taxed between 10 and 25 percent, while cut flowers faced tariffs of about 4 percent.
The elimination of these tariffs is expected to significantly enhance the competitiveness of Kenyan goods in China’s vast market of more than 1.4 billion consumers.
Ambassador Guo noted that agricultural trade between Kenya and China has been on a steady upward trajectory, adding that Kenya is already a key exporter to the Asian nation.
She revealed that in 2025, Kenya’s exports of coffee and tea to China reached $24.46 million, accounting for 10.8 percent of total agricultural exports to China and representing a year-on-year growth of 8.8 percent.
