Arabfields, Maleeka Kassou, East, West & Central Africa Agriculture Correspondent — Zambian farmers and government officials celebrated a significant breakthrough in agricultural trade after the signing of a protocol that grants zero-tariff access for the country’s macadamia nuts into the vast Chinese market.
The agreement, finalized in late March 2025 during a ceremony in Chilanga, brings together senior representatives from both nations. Wang Sheng, chargé d’affaires at the Chinese Embassy in Zambia, joined Zambia’s Minister of Agriculture Reuben Mtolo Phiri in marking the occasion. For many small-scale growers who have long depended on indirect routes through neighboring countries, this direct pathway represents a long-awaited opportunity to increase earnings and expand operations.
Zambia’s macadamia sector remains modest in global terms yet shows clear momentum. In 2023, the country produced around 2,000 metric tons of in-shell nuts, with approximately 95 percent directed toward export markets. Over the previous three years, roughly 3,000 metric tons found their way to destinations including South Africa, Vietnam, Kenya, and Malawi. The new arrangement is expected to elevate Zambia’s standing among African exporters, potentially moving the nation from its current 17th position into the top 10.
Minister Mtolo Phiri described the protocol as a milestone capable of transforming rural livelihoods. He emphasized that reliable access to China, one of the world’s largest nut-consuming markets, would encourage higher production standards and greater investment in value addition. Local farmers, many of whom operate on commercial estates while emerging smallholders gradually enter the sector, stand to benefit from steadier demand and improved prices.
Industry observers note that the zero-tariff treatment forms part of broader Chinese commitments toward least developed African partners. This measure, stemming from discussions at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, removes a key cost barrier that previously affected competitiveness against suppliers facing duties.
Looking ahead with data available in 2026, projections point to steady expansion in Zambian output. Current trends in nursery tree imports and orchard development suggest production could climb to between 6,000 and 7,000 metric tons by 2028, approaching 10,000 metric tons by 2030. Such growth would align with rising global interest in premium nuts while allowing Zambia to capture a larger share of Chinese imports before domestic Chinese production, forecast to reach substantial volumes in the 2025/26 season, fully matures.
Kenneth Msiska, Director of the Plant Quarantine and Phytosanitary Services, highlighted the importance of meeting stringent quality and pest-free requirements to sustain this access. He expressed confidence that the direct link would stimulate further planting and professionalization across the value chain.
For Zambian agriculture, the deal forms part of a wider strategy to diversify exports beyond traditional minerals. Officials and growers alike view macadamia nuts as a promising crop that can generate foreign exchange, create employment in processing and logistics, and support sustainable rural development.
As the first shipments prepare to move under the new protocol, stakeholders remain focused on maintaining consistent quality and scaling production efficiently. The agreement not only opens an immediate commercial door but also lays groundwork for longer-term collaboration between the two countries in agricultural trade.
