Chinese consumers are experiencing a wider variety of African agricultural products on their dining tables, including Ethiopian coffee beans and Tanzanian cashew nuts, as a result of China's advantageous tariff policies and a rising appetite for diverse culinary specialties.

Many African agricultural products benefit from favorable geographical and climatic conditions, leading to high yields and distinctive flavors.

For instance, Rwanda's chili and sesame from various African countries such as Tanzania, Mozambique, and Togo are notable examples.

Recently, Qingdao Port in Shandong province welcomed 10 containers totaling 192 metric tons of sesame imported from Chad.

Data from Qingdao Customs indicates that over 80 percent of sesame products imported through this port originate from Africa, establishing it as China's largest sesame distribution center and accounting for more than 80 percent of the national import volume.

Ye Guanglian, deputy general manager of Kerry Oils & Grains (Qingdao) Ltd, noted that the zero-tariff policy for African sesame—with tariffs on imports from other regions being between 9 percent and 10 percent—has significantly benefited their operations.

This year, the company has imported 46,000 tons of African sesame, marking an 11 percent increase from the previous year, solidifying Africa's position as the primary source for its sesame imports.

The bilateral trade of agricultural products between China and Africa has seen significant growth, with the total import and export value exceeding 70 billion yuan ($9.75 billion) last year, as reported by the General Administration of Customs (GAC).

Since December 1, 2022, China has implemented a 100 percent zero-tariff policy for the least developed countries, including 33 African nations, facilitating the entry of more high-quality African agricultural products into the Chinese market.

In the first five months of this year, China’s import value of agricultural products from Africa reached 15.83 billion yuan.

Specific imports such as coffee, cocoa beans, and frozen strawberries have exhibited remarkable year-on-year growth rates of 145.7 percent, 88.6 percent, and 82 percent, respectively, according to GAC data.

Parallel to this, exports from China to Africa of pesticide formulations and agricultural machinery have also increased, by 12 percent and 41 percent, respectively, contributing to enhancements in the quality and efficiency of agricultural practices across the continent.

BGI Group, based in Shenzhen and focused on life sciences and genome research, is collaborating with Ethiopian partners to ensure the quality control of locally grown coffee beans.

This initiative employs genetic sequencing technology for DNA identification of Ethiopian coffee species, ensuring the pure quality of Arabica coffee beans and maintaining food safety from the cultivation stage.

In domestic markets, BGI has formed partnerships with over 30 coffee shops in regions including Guangdong and Jiangsu provinces.

Following its product launch in September last year, the company reports that nearly 10 tons of coffee beans have been processed and sold within just three months.

Over the past seven years, coffee bean exports from Ethiopia to China have surged nearly tenfold, positioning the country as China's second-largest supplier of coffee beans, after Brazil.