Chinese officials will conduct certification inspections in Nairobi on March 27, 2019, to finalize Kenya's compliance with sanitary and phytosanitary standards for agricultural exports, opening access to China's vast market. The process follows a November 2018 agreement between Kenyan and Chinese authorities to expand trade in fresh produce.
The Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement, negotiated during the 2018 China International Import Expo, covers over a dozen agricultural products traditionally exported to Europe. It includes cut flowers, vegetables, avocados, legumes, herbs, mangoes, and nuts, as well as meat, hides, and specialty crops like bixa and gum arabica.
Jaswinder Bedi, chairman of Kenya's Export Promotion Council, confirmed the certification mission would mark the final step before exports commence. 'Market expansion is now happening,' he said, noting technical trade barriers had previously delayed access to new markets. 'We are sensitizing counties to take advantage of this opportunity.'
The agreement represents a strategic shift for Kenya's agricultural sector, which has historically relied on European markets. Chinese officials' upcoming visit will determine whether Kenyan producers meet requirements to sell in the world's most populous market.
