MUKAZA, August 2 (ABP) – The ceremony for the shipment of the first batch of Burundi green coffee beans destined for export to China took place on Thursday, July 31, 2025, in Bujumbura, in the presence of the Chinese ambassador to Burundi, Ms. Zhao Jiangping, and Burundian authorities.
Among the Burundian officials present at the ceremony were Alain Ndikumana, head of the strategic studies and development office at the Presidency of the Republic; Emmanuel Niyungeko, Director General of planning at the ministry of environment, agriculture, and livestock; Ir Oscar Uwikunda, Director General of the Burundi coffee development office (ODECA); and the Director General of trade at the ministry in charge of trade.
Emmanuel Niyungeko, representing the Minister of Agriculture, stated in his speech that this moment not only marks a major milestone in the development of Burundi’s coffee sector, but also a new chapter in strengthening Sino-Burundian cooperation in general and economic and trade relations between Burundi and China in particular.
“Burundian coffee, as you know, is much more than just a crop for Burundi. It represents a vital source of foreign currency, a crucial livelihood for many rural households. Above all, it is the fruit of the hard work of many Burundian coffee growers who, day after day, cultivate our fertile land with passion and dedication. With its significant contribution to national exports, coffee is a pillar of our vision to make agriculture the engine of economic growth and the fight against poverty,” he said.
According to this official from the ministry responsible for agriculture, this first shipment to China is the result of concerted efforts by the Government of Burundi, producers, cooperatives, washing stations, and the country’s technical and financial partners. It demonstrates the country’s commitment to promoting high-quality coffee, grown with respect for the environment on land protected against erosion and enriched through sustainable farming practices, Mr. Niyungeko added.
This shipment also marks a decisive step in the country’s strategy to diversify export markets. “By accessing international markets like those in China directly, we aim to ensure fairer compensation for our producers while reducing our reliance on intermediaries,” Mr. Niyungeko emphasized.
“No one can ignore the positive contribution and impact of China’s actions at the grassroots level in the agricultural sector; this is evidenced by the close collaboration and strengthening of economic cooperation between Burundi and China, a long-standing friendly and strategic partner,” he acknowledged, adding that under the leadership of the president of the Republic of Burundi, Evariste Ndayishimiye, agriculture has been made the driving force of economic growth and the fight against poverty.
The representative of the ministry in charge of agriculture also expressed deep gratitude to the Chinese Embassy in Burundi for its valuable support in facilitating the partnership between Burundi and the CHICO company (China Henan International Cooperation Group), which will be exporting this green coffee from Burundi. He also thanked the CHICO company, whose commitment clearly demonstrates a willingness to strengthen Sino-Burundian economic relations while contributing to the development of local agriculture.
For her part, the Chinese Ambassador to Burundi, Mrs. Zhao Jiangping, recalled that in September 2024, during President Evariste Ndayishimiye’s visit to China to attend the China-Africa Cooperation Forum summit, the two governments signed a phytosanitary requirements protocol for the export of Burundian coffee beans to China.
“This protocol is not only an administrative document but also the result of in-depth, constructive, and forward-looking consultations. Thanks to this protocol, the technical barriers to the entry of Burundian coffee on the Chinese market have been removed, offering Burundian producers access to a vast, dynamic, and growing market,” Ms. Zhao noted. She also mentioned that in November 2024, during the international export exhibition in Shanghai, Chinese visitors were enthusiastic about Burundian coffee, particularly due to its high quality, refined aroma, and unique flavor.
According to the Chinese diplomat, this recognition by the Chinese market is no coincidence, but rather the result of passion, hard work, and the expertise of the competent services of both countries. “This ceremony marks the beginning of direct coffee trade between our two countries. It also represents the very first shipment of Burundian products to benefit from the zero-tariff treatment on 100% of products exported to China,” she added.
“It is a great opportunity for us to cooperate with Burundi in such a promising sector as coffee, on this land full of energy and hope,” said the Director General of CHICO Burundi, Chang Shuai, adding that within the green coffee trade, CHICO is ambitious about making coffee a bridge between Burundi and China to strengthen trade cooperation and shared prosperity.
During an interview, the Director General of ODECA, Oscar Uwikunda, stated that 38 tons of green coffee from Burundi had been shipped to China. According to him, this is a significant advantage for Burundi, as it now has a new client, noting that more than 50% of Burundian coffee is currently sold on the European market.