Kenya’s agricultural exports to China will start entering the market duty-free from May 1, 2026, as confirmed by the Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe (CS Kagwe).
The announcement follows CS Mutahi Kagwe’s March 16 meeting with Ambassador Guo Haiyan, and it implements trade agreements secured during President William Samoei Ruto’s state visit to China.
“Kenya’s agricultural exports to China will begin entering the market duty-free starting May 1, 2026, opening major opportunities for Kenyan farmers and agribusinesses,” read part of the statement from the Office of the Agriculture Cabinet Secretary.
CS Kagwe On Duty-Free Exports
The Ministry explained that the removal of tariffs will allow Kenyan products such as tea, coffee, avocado, macadamia nuts, flowers, and fresh horticultural produce to enter the Chinese market of over 1.4 billion consumers duty-free.
“The removal of tariffs means products such as tea, coffee, avocado, macadamia nuts, flowers and fresh horticultural produce will now enter the Chinese market of over 1.4B consumers at zero duty, significantly improving Kenya’s competitiveness,” it noted.
Ambassador Guo said agricultural trade between the two countries continues to grow, noting that Kenya exported coffee and tea worth USD 24.46M to China in 2025, while avocados and macadamia exports reached USD 19.9M.
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CS Kagwe urged Kenyan exporters and investors to take advantage of the opportunity by increasing production and prioritising value-added agricultural products instead of raw exports.
The CS further emphasised strict quality control, directing the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service to ensure all exports meet international and Chinese phytosanitary standards.
Govt Drives Youth Engagement in Agriculture to Boost Productivity
According to the ministry’s statement, the government is intensifying efforts to make agriculture more attractive and profitable for young Kenyans to address the aging farmer population and increase productivity.
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“The Government is stepping up efforts to make agriculture more attractive and profitable for young people as part of a broader plan to address the aging farmer population and boost productivity,” the ministry noted.
The Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET) programme emphasises practical learning, with 80 per cent of the training focused on hands-on skills and 20 per cent on theory, followed by an industrial attachment.
To widen access to agricultural training, the Government has also established satellite campuses in Ainabkoi and Ugenya.
CS Kagwe urged the new cohort to embrace agriculture as a modern sector capable of creating jobs, raising incomes, and strengthening Kenya’s food security.
