A regional trade agreement to boost avocado exports?

China would be ready to negotiate a trade agreement with EAC (East Africa Community), according to the Chinese ambassador in Nairobi (Kenya).

 

 

 

Reuters reports that the Chinese ambassador to Nairobi said his country would be ready to negotiate a trade agreement with EAC which is made up of six countries (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan) in accordance with the rules of the World Trade Organization.

 

 

 

Kenya had complained of an imbalance in its trade balance with China but did not want a free trade agreement fearing an increase in its imports. Regional bargaining would be more favorable.

 

 

 

Kenya would like to export more of its agricultural products to China, including avocados. The two countries have recently finalized a protocol to open frozen Kenyan avocados exports to China, but fresh avocado exports are still blocked for biosecurity reasons.