Kenya is setting its sights on China’s vast market as it seeks to diversify agricultural exports and reduce the massive trade imbalance between the two countries.
The government has announced plans to sign new agribusiness deals worth about Ksh 272 million (15 million Yuan) during the upcoming Africa International Agricultural Expo (AIAE) 2025, which will run from October 28 to 31 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi.
According to Agricultural Innovation and Research Secretary Philis Njane, Kenya is shifting from its traditional export mix of coffee and tea to embrace value-added products such as nuts and avocados. She said this strategy will allow the country to expand its export footprint while increasing earnings from the agricultural sector.
“First of all, we’ve had a very big discussion with the Chinese government, as a government, and we are seeing that there is an opening for avocado to go to China. We are also seeing that the Chinese have an interest in orthodox tea, which we are now doing in big numbers; many factories are doing it, so we are seeing an opportunity there for them to be our market for our tea, and many others,” Njane said.
China is currently one of Kenya’s top trading partners, but the balance remains highly unequal. In the first half of 2025, Kenya imported goods worth around Ksh 500 billion from China while exporting only Ksh 4.5 billion worth of products to the Asian giant. This trade gap continues to widen each year, a situation the government hopes to change by opening up more agricultural trade opportunities.
Njane said the four-day Expo will not only help Kenya secure new markets for its produce but will also expose local farmers and agribusinesses to Chinese agricultural technology and innovation.
“We see this as an opportunity for technology exchange and market access. China is a large market, and there’s growing demand for products such as orthodox tea and avocado, where Kenya has a competitive advantage,” she said.
AgriAfrica Exhibition CEO and lead organiser of the Expo, Tito Mutai, said that collaboration with Chinese agri-tech firms will be key in helping Kenya deal with challenges caused by climate change and erratic weather patterns.
He noted that the Expo is expected to deepen partnerships in agricultural productivity, innovation, and export growth.
“This event is a platform for matchmaking, investment, and innovation. We expect to see partnerships that address challenges in agricultural technology, productivity and export markets,” Mutai stated.
The Expo will feature over 150 exhibitors and attract more than 10,000 visitors from Africa, China, Europe, and the United States.
It is being co-hosted by Hongxing International Exhibition Company Limited (HXIE) and Kenya’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development.
Organisers revealed that pre-event engagements have already resulted in several agreements between Chinese research institutions and Kenyan government departments.
At least eight projects are expected to be formalised during the Expo, including two or three framework collaboration agreements and up to six trade and investment deals.
The event will also feature discussions on agricultural machinery, livestock and veterinary services, edible mushrooms, agricultural product trade, and the Africa Tea Industry Seminar, alongside an Africa Agricultural Modernisation Forum.
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