According to new data from China’s customs authorities, trade turnover between China and African countries reached USD 312.11 billion in the first nine months of this year, marking a 22 percent increase compared with the same period last year.

The expansion of trade relations and improved access for African-made goods to the Chinese market have been supported by the abolition of customs duties and the development of transport and logistics infrastructure.

As of May 1 this year, China introduced zero tariffs on all categories of goods from 53 African countries with which it maintains diplomatic relations. As a result, between May and September, both the volume and value of several products imported by China from Africa increased significantly.

In particular, during this period, the value of peanut imports rose 4.4 times, while imports of frozen strawberries increased by 113 percent and avocados by 82 percent.

As a result, China became the largest export market for Egypt’s frozen strawberries. Meanwhile, 90 percent of South Africa’s pecan exports were shipped to China.