Tanzania finalizes two-year strategy to maximize zero-tariff exports to China before 2028 deadline
Cashew nuts, avocados, and fresh chillies were among the products identified as benefiting from the opportunity.
TANZANIA – The Tanzanian government has finalized a two-year trade strategy to leverage China’s zero-tariff policy and boost exports of value-added agricultural products before the preferential access window closes in April 2028.
The strategy aims to convert tariff preferences into supply contracts by expanding domestic processing capacity, modernizing packaging, and establishing direct business-matching channels between Tanzanian suppliers and Chinese importers.
The policy comes amid rising Chinese imports from Africa, with customs data showing imports from the continent rose 21.1% year-on-year in May and 40.2% in June, exceeding China’s overall import growth.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Amb Waziri Salum, said Tanzanian businesses were responding by improving production, processing, quality, and packaging to meet Chinese market requirements. Cashew nuts, avocados, and fresh chillies were among the products identified as benefiting from the opportunity.
“The major challenge now is not simply gaining access to the Chinese market but ensuring that Tanzania has the capacity to produce quality goods in sufficient quantities to meet buyers’ demand,” Amb Salum said.
The main obstacles Tanzania faces in meeting Chinese demand include limited domestic processing capacity, inconsistent supply volumes and quality, gaps in packaging standards and branding, inadequate cold-chain logistics infrastructure, and challenges in meeting certification and standards requirements. The government is addressing these through targeted investment and training programmes.
The government is also developing a business-matching system to connect Tanzanian suppliers directly with Chinese buyers, aiming to convert tariff preferences into sales contracts and boost export earnings.
Amb Salum said the government was using Business Clinics and awareness programmes to help producers understand Chinese market requirements, trade procedures, packaging, and certification.
On the other hand, competition from other African exporters means Tanzanian businesses will need to improve quality and competitiveness to capture a larger share of the market. The strategy will drive investment across industries by creating demand in agriculture, manufacturing, logistics, and cold-chain services.
Additionally, processing plants will require capital investment, packaging and branding will support local manufacturing, and cold-chain infrastructure will stimulate the logistics and storage sectors.
These efforts are intended to convert temporary trade preferences into permanent commercial contracts and sustainable economic growth.
By building domestic capacity and establishing lasting commercial relationships, Tanzania aims to sustain export growth even after the preferential access window expires, positioning itself as a reliable supplier of high-quality processed agricultural products to the Chinese market.
Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.
