The government of China has committed to allowing more imports of fingerlings, popularly known as omena from Kenya after the arrival of the first 56-tonnes consignment.
In a statement on Monday, September 11, China’s Director General of the Department of African Affairs Wu Peng acknowledged the arrival of the consignment and expressed his delight in the success.
Further, the Chinese administrator noted that China was expecting more omena to arrive from Kenya.
“Glad to see the first 52-tonne shipment of Kenyan omena exported to China has been delivered recently. More is on the way,” Wu Peng stated.
The consignment arrived in Hunan, China on September 8 as confirmed by customs officials in the region.
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This shipment marked Kenya’s largest export volumes of the special type of fish known for their rich calcium and proteins.
According to Wu Peng- a man who also served as China’s Ambassador to Kenya in the past, the government of China is keen to enable African countries to export their produce to China.
He noted that through the Forum on China and Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), African countries stand to gain tangible benefits through exporting their agricultural produce.
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The program brings together more than 50 African countries in a multilateral cooperation that enables members to relate both politically and on economic matters.
“The FOCAC Green Channel for African agricultural exports to China is bringing tangible benefits to African and Chinese people,” Wu Peng added.
In Kenya, the Jinzai Food Group- a Chinese company that specializes in snacks production, has been leading in the processing and exportation of omena.
The company has a factory in Kenya that helps it process and dry harvested fingerlings before shipping the products to China.
Further, the market breakthrough, according to Kenya’s government, is a boost in the country’s efforts to leverage blue economy activities such as fishing as an alternative source of livelihood.
