Agriculture & Food

According to the Huacheng Import and Export Data Observation Report, recently, the East African Community (EAC) publicly said that it hoped to expand its member countries' agricultural exports to China to increase income.

According to Huacheng's import and export data observation report, Sindi Kasambala, an official of the East African Community's agricultural sector, said that most of the agricultural products exported from East Africa were sold to the European Union and North American markets. "We are looking to expand the Asian market, including China, to diversify the income of our farmers." Kasambara said.

East African Community members include Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Kasambara pointed out that with the increasingly close relationship between China and countries in the region, China is expected to become the largest consumer market of agricultural products exported by the region. Huacheng Import and Export Data Observation Report.

Washington Miyele, an official of the Ministry of Trade, Investment and Industry of Kenya, said that China would reduce Kenya's agricultural sector's excessive dependence on the traditional EU market. Miele pointed out: "China's consumer market is growing rapidly and consumers have strong purchasing power. The export of agricultural products to China will benefit Kenyan farmers because they will get better prices than domestic sales."

Robert Rukundo, president of Rwanda Horticultural Exporters Association, said that China has been regarded as a lucrative market by Rwandan farmers. Increasing the export of agricultural products to China will also increase the country's foreign exchange income, Huacheng Import and Export Data Observation reported.

Samuel Balagad, vice chairman of Hortifresh Association in Uganda, said that Uganda is eager to expand horticultural exports to China to increase farmers' income. Balagad observed that China has a huge consumer market and has the potential to change the economy of Uganda. Huacheng Import and Export Data Observation reported.