In a remarkable step towards expanding international trade, Benin's pineapples have officially entered the Chinese market. On December 16th, at Changsha Huanghua International Airport, a shipment of these vibrant African fruits arrived after a lengthy journey of 17 hours from Benin, weighing in at an impressive one tonne. This significant event not only marks the debut of Benin's pineapples in China but also highlights the increasing interconnectedness of global markets.
The pineapples touched down around 4 p.m. on Monday and were quickly processed by customs, with all import procedures completed by 6 p.m. the same day. Their introduction to the Chinese market coincides with their presentation at the 6th China International Import Expo (CIIE) in 2023, where they stood out as one of the many African delicacies showcased.
This shipment was handled through general trade, with Wang Jue, the head of Hunan Zhongjianda International Trade Co., Ltd., emphasizing the vital support provided by current trade policies. "Thanks to China’s tariff regulations, we are benefiting from zero-tariff treatment for these imports, significantly reducing our trade costs," Wang explained. He further noted their plans to distribute the pineapples to both chain supermarkets and local fruit shops across Hunan. Early feedback from the market has been encouraging, and there are aspirations to increase the volume of imports shortly.
Since last December, China has implemented a zero-tariff policy on all tariff lines for every least developed country, which includes 33 African nations that maintain diplomatic ties with China. Moreover, this initiative is also being extended to 53 African countries with which China has established diplomatic relations. Alongside this favorable tariff environment, Chinese officials and businesses are actively promoting the integration of African products into the Chinese consumer market.
Remarkably, China has maintained its status as Africa's largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years, with trade between the two regions witnessing exponential growth. From a modest figure of less than 100 billion yuan (approximately 14.2 billion U.S. dollars) in 2000, the total trade value soared to 2.1 trillion yuan in 2024, achieving an impressive average annual growth rate of 14.2 percent.
Li Ying, a customs representative at Changsha airport, expressed optimism regarding the regular importation of Benin’s pineapples, stating that it could significantly bolster the airport's ambition to become a national hub for the import of fresh produce.
According to data from Changsha Customs, during the first eleven months of 2025, Hunan's trade volume with Africa reached 53.99 billion yuan, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 14.3 percent. Notably, imports of agricultural products from Africa totaled 460 million yuan, marking a robust growth of 19.4 percent compared to the previous year.
Benin’s pineapples are just the beginning—what other African products do you think could thrive in the Chinese market? Share your thoughts below!
