China's Director-General of the Department of African Affairs of the Foreign Ministry, Wu Peng, sparked a heated debate following his statement on Kenyan avocados.
Through his official statement, Peng announced that the first batch of Kenyan avocados landed in China on Tuesday, July 27.
After a day of sampling and distribution, Peng revealed that investors had given Kenyan avocados a thumbs up.
Peng raised the prospects of Kenya sealing a long-term partnership with the Asian economic powerhouse for the exportation of the fruits.
"Importers show strong interests in these high-quality avocados and plan to import in a bigger scale. I look forward to more good news on the import of African agri-products," Peng statement read in part.
The importation came after Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) confirmed that Chinese authorities had concluded the audit of its avocado producers and packhouses.
The clearance lifted the non-tariff barrier by China that had limited the space for African food and agriculture producers to access Asian markets.
Kenya and China had reached an agreement in 2019 to export fruits including avocados but with strict regulations only allowing freeze-dried ones.
However, lifting the restrictions and positive news from Peng ignited debate on social media.
A section of Kenyans welcomed Peng's statement noting that it had opened up a market for the country to empower farmers.
"Good move. Africa can produce agricultural products more than what it's currently producing if there's market assurance. Thanks, Chinese another reason to call you a friend of Africa," Issa wrote on his social media page.
"You have put forth a worth challenge that should make Africans run to the drawing board and unearth the solution of food security," David Ombui added.
Others pleaded with the Chinese government to link them to the investors impressed by Kenyan avocados.
"I have the type of avocado in large scale ,I will be glad if I do business with you," Rob Baguma wrote on his social media page.
To convince Peng to seek a broader market for farmers, some Kenyans explained that avocados are incorporated into almost all meals in the country.
On the side, some farmers contemplated embracing avocado farming after Peng raised its prospect in the Asian markets.
Kakuzi is the country's biggest avocado grower. Its cultivation is concentrated in the Central part of the country. Kakuzi was also the firm tasked to deliver the first batch of avocados to the Asian market.
However, before the exportation of avocados, they were required to fumigate them with methyl bromide to kill any pests, including fruit flies.
