Zambia signs protocol to export macadamia nuts to China

The Public-Private Dialogue Forum (PPDF) has announced the finalization and signing of the Protocol on Inspection, Quarantine, and Sanitary Requirements for the export of macadamia nuts from Zambia to China.

Jacqueline Chishimba, PPDF Director of Strategic Communication and Partnerships, described the signing as a major step in Zambia’s agricultural and trade development.

She emphasized that the protocol was reached through PPDF’s facilitation of meetings between Macadamia Growers and the Ministry of Agriculture.

Following a review and clearance by the Ministry of Justice, the protocol enables direct exports of Zambian macadamia nuts to China, the world’s largest consumer market.

The agreement was signed between Zambia’s Ministry of Agriculture and the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China.

Chishimba noted that the protocol establishes sanitary and phytosanitary conditions to ensure the safe export of both shelled and in-shell macadamia nuts for human consumption.

The signing follows comprehensive risk assessments and pest control evaluations in line with the World Trade Organization’s SPS Agreement.

Zambia now joins Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, and Mozambique in securing direct access to China’s high-value market.

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Chishimba highlighted the protocol’s potential to boost Zambia’s position as a regional competitor, offering increased foreign exchange earnings, private investment, job creation, and agricultural diversification.

Under the protocol, exported macadamia nuts must be free from quarantine pests, including Thaumatotibia leucotreta, Tribolium destructor, Trogoderma granarium, and Prostephanus truncatus. The Zambian authorities will oversee the value chain, ensuring compliance with Chinese regulations from cultivation to export.

Annual food safety risk monitoring and pest surveillance will be conducted by Zambia, with findings shared with Chinese authorities.

Only enterprises with approved and inspected facilities will be eligible to export, and all shipments must meet traceability, labeling, and phytosanitary certification requirements.

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