The first shipment of Kenyan avocados reached China on May 8 under a new zero-tariff agreement that began on May 1. Chinese authorities confirmed the arrival of 6.9 tonnes of the fruit alongside South African apples. The deal removes duties on 98.2 per cent of Kenyan exports to help balance trade.
Director-General DU Xiaohui of the Department of African Affairs announced the deliveries late on Friday. He stated that 24 tonnes of apples from South Africa and 6.9 tonnes of Kenyan fresh avocados were among the first arrivals of African agricultural products under the Zero Tariff Policy.
The Early Harvest Agreement took effect on May 1 and ended previous tariffs of 4 per cent to 15 per cent on items such as tea, coffee and cut flowers. Avocado import duties, which ranged from 10 per cent to 25 per cent, were also removed.
Kenya ranks as the sixth-largest avocado producer worldwide and projects output of 727,000 metric tonnes for the 2026 season. The government aims to use the policy to cut a roughly $4 billion annual trade deficit with China and reach export targets of 15 million kilograms of tea by 2030.