By Ronald Kulabako
Starting July 20, China will grant full market access to all coffee beans that meet quarantine requirements from every African country that has diplomatic relations with Beijing, a Chinese official announced.
The move, unveiled during a trade briefing, is part of a broader push to bring more African specialty products into the Chinese market. The official added that China is fully implementing its zero-tariff policy and upgrading “green lanes” for African imports — designed to speed up customs clearance and offer greater benefits to consumers and producers on both sides.
Analysts say the policy could significantly boost coffee exports from African growers, who have long sought easier access to China’s rapidly growing consumer market.