{"id":34558,"date":"2025-10-24T09:37:11","date_gmt":"2025-10-24T07:37:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fondation-farm.org\/?p=34558"},"modified":"2025-10-28T12:31:21","modified_gmt":"2025-10-28T11:31:21","slug":"suppression-des-droits-de-douanes-chinois-quelles-opportunites-pour-les-exportations-agricoles-nord-africaines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fondation-farm.org\/en\/suppression-des-droits-de-douanes-chinois-quelles-opportunites-pour-les-exportations-agricoles-nord-africaines\/","title":{"rendered":"Removal of Chinese customs duties: what opportunities for North African agricultural exports?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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In contrast to U.S. protectionist trends<\/a>, China<\/strong> has recently taken a major step toward opening its market to African exports. At the China\u2013Africa Economic and Trade Expo in June 2025, Beijing announced the complete removal of tariffs<\/strong>on imports from 53 African countries<\/strong>. In practical terms, this landmark measure extends duty-free access to the Chinese market to almost all African countries\u2014a privilege previously reserved only for the continent\u2019s least developed countries. For North Africa, this tariff opening represents an opportunity to diversify<\/strong> its agricultural exports to a market of 1.4 billion consumers. As part of our ongoing series on African agricultural exports, this installment examines trade relations between China and the countries of North Africa.<\/p>\n

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African agricultural exports to China up 86 % and North Africa's share remains limited<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

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The continental panorama highlights a increase of 86 %<\/strong> of African exports to China between 2012 and 2023. The increase is driven by Southern and Eastern Africa, with major contributions from South Africa, Sudan, Zimbabwe and Tanzania. North Africa, although increasing, remains a modest contributor and accounts for around 7 % of the total export value in 2023.<\/p>\n

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North Africa: fivefold export growth in 10 years and progressive upgrading<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

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North African agricultural exports to China have grown from USD 72 million in 2012 to USD 357 million in 2023. This dynamic makes China an increasingly important trading partner for the region, even if the flows remain modest, compared to exports to\u00a0Europe or the Middle East<\/a> This growth is primarily based on Egypt, which represents more than 85 % of regional exports to China in 2023. Morocco has seen its exports grow rapidly (+571 %) in a decade while Tunisia and Algeria have little weight in these exchanges, with respectively 0.6 % and 0.4 % of the region's exports.<\/p>\n

The evolution of flows highlights a qualitative transformation of agricultural exports to China. 2012<\/strong>, they were dominated by the primary products<\/strong> (76 %) while in 2023, their share has reduced and processed products represent almost half of the flows (47 %).<\/p>\n

The share of food products also experienced a positive evolution over the decade, increasing from 21 % in 2012 to 38 % of agricultural exports to China in 2023. This growth is driven in particular by Egypt and Morocco, with a notable decline from Tunisia and an Algerian supply which remains marginal.<\/p>\n

Graph 1<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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This progression reflects three evolutions<\/strong> :<\/p>\n

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  1. An expansion of Chinese demand<\/strong> beyond traditional raw materials (cotton, wool, textile fibers).<\/li>\n
  2. A gradual adaptation of the North African offer<\/strong> to the expectations of an expanding urban market, interested in more processed food products.<\/li>\n
  3. Potential for increased added value<\/strong> for North African sectors, which still remains largely to be exploited, as we have highlighted in previous publications.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Graph 2<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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    Egypt: Diversification and Regional Leadership<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

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    In 2012<\/strong>, Egyptian agricultural exports to China reached 59 million USD<\/strong>, relying almost exclusively on the cotton<\/strong> (50 million USD). Alongside this dominant product, only a few marginal flows appeared: vegetable preparations (4 million), other textile fibers (2 million) and citrus fruits (1 million). The export structure reflected a specialization in a traditional raw material, without real diversification.<\/p>\n

    In 2023<\/strong>, the Egyptian export profile has undergone a profound transformation, with a total value increased to 307 million USD<\/strong> (+ 420 % in ten years). This growth is based on a strong diversification<\/strong> exported products:<\/p>\n