African Sesame Exports and China's Zero Tariff

 Thierry Pairault published on 30 June 2026 an article titled "The African Sesame Industry and the Chinese Tariff Exemption."

China obtains from Africa more than 80 percent of its imported sesame seeds.  Six countries account for 95 percent of African sesame exports to China: Niger, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Mozambique, and Ethiopia.

China's recent zero tariff policy for African countries will primarily benefit Chinese importers-processors rather than African producers.  The tariff advantage is captured at the point of entry into China by companies whose shareholders are Chinese, Singaporean, and Taiwanese.  

China Importing More Food from Africa

 The North Africa Post published on 23 March 2023 an article titled "China Refocuses on Food and Agriculture in Its Relations with Africa."

China is importing more food products from Africa in response to President Xi Jinping's focus on food security.

The South China Morning Post published on 19 March 2023 an article titled "China's African Ties: Why Food Is the New Focus" by Jevans Nyabiage.

Challenges for Ethiopia-China Trade

A recent issue of the Asian Research Journal of Arts & Social Sciences published an analysis titled "Post 2006 Ethio-China Trade Relations: Challenges and Prospects" by Getahun Zewde, Assosa University.

Ethiopia has a huge trade deficit with China, which can be largely explained by the unequal terms of trade between agricultural commodities (Ethiopia's major export to China) and capital goods (Ethiopia's primary import from China). Chinese dumping of low priced goods has also forced domestic Ethiopian producers out of business because they cannot compete on price with China. The author concludes that this situation makes it difficult for Ethiopia to achieve a genuine partnership with China.