The Democratic Republic of the Congo is seeking to diversify its exports to China by focusing on agricultural products such as cocoa, coffee, mango, cassava, and palm oil. However, the country faces significant challenges in meeting the demands of the Chinese market, including structuring its agricultural sectors, ensuring product quality, and providing sufficient volumes.
According to Tyty Tshiumbu, director of product development and technical assistance at the National Export Promotion Agency (ANAPEX), trade between Kinshasa and Beijing is currently dominated by minerals, with a large portion of Congolese mining production destined for the Chinese market, while agricultural exports remain limited.
Tshiumbu notes that prior to ANAPEX's efforts since 2020, there was no clear direction for Congolese agricultural exports to China. The goal now is to transform the country's agricultural potential into tangible commercial opportunities, beyond occasional exports. Products like cocoa and coffee are expected to strengthen the Congolese presence in the Chinese market.
The Chinese market has already authorized the access of Congolese palm oil, pending compliance with registration and qualification procedures for exporting companies. Other products have undergone specific démarches, particularly in the phytosanitary sector. However, this development does not guarantee regular exports, as Congolese companies must demonstrate their ability to meet buyer requirements in terms of quality and quantity.
ANAPEX believes that export diversification requires better organization among producers and economic operators. The agency is focusing on quality circles to adapt products to market requirements and common interest groups to pool resources and production capacities.
To access the Chinese market, producers must provide precise information on product origin, cultivation methods, pests, and pesticides used, which is essential for evaluating phytosanitary risks by Chinese authorities. This will enable the country to overcome the challenges of producer dispersion and traceability issues.
The goal of promoting Congolese agricultural products is to expand the country's external trade revenue sources and reduce reliance on mining exports. The success of this endeavor depends on the ability of Congolese actors to sustainably organize production, meet required standards, and respond to Chinese market needs, making agricultural production a genuine export activity.
Key points
- DR Congo aims to boost agricultural exports to China to reduce reliance on mining.
- The country faces challenges in meeting Chinese market demands, including product quality and volume.
- ANAPEX is working to organize producers and operators to ensure compliance with international standards.
