Nairobi — Kenya has called on China to eliminate tariffs on key agricultural exports, including coffee, tea and avocados, as part of efforts to address the country's persistent trade deficit with its largest trading partner.

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe met senior officials from the General Administration of China Customs (GACC) to push for faster clearance and zero duty on flagship Kenyan commodities.

Current tariffs stand at 8 percent for non-roasted coffee, 20 percent for roasted coffee, 15 percent for tea and up to 20 percent for avocados.

"Kenyans are ready to export, and it is time for policy commitments to translate into real volumes and container movement," Kagwe said, highlighting that Kenya imported $4.5 billion from China in 2024 while exporting only $290 million, mostly raw agricultural products.

The CS noted that Kenya has completed technical submissions for products including mangoes, dried chillies, green grams, dried fruits and plant-based medicinal materials, with approval pending at GACC.

He also called for faster approvals on livestock exports, some delayed for over two years.