Kenya on Monday flagged off its first consignment of goods to China under a new zero-tariff arrangement, in a move that officials said could help narrow the bilateral trade imbalance and widen market access for Kenyan products.

The shipment, which includes fresh avocados, avocado oil, hides and skins, coffee and green beans, is among the first to benefit from China's policy granting zero-tariff treatment on 100 percent of tariff lines for 53 African countries that maintain diplomatic relations with China, including Kenya, according to Kenya's Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry.

The ministry said in a statement, that a total of 54 containers carrying agricultural and agro-processed products departed from Nairobi via the Madaraka Express freight service to the Port of Mombasa for onward shipment to China.

The duty-free access forms part of China's broader market-opening measures for African countries and is expected to take effect on May 1.

Speaking at the event, Kenya's Deputy President Kithure Kindiki urged Kenyan businesses and farmers to capitalize on preferential access to the Chinese market, which has more than 1.4 billion consumers adding that the use of the railway highlights improvements in logistics that could lower transport costs and shorten delivery times.

"This agreement presents a timely opportunity for the private sector to scale up exports and expand Kenya's footprint in the Chinese market," he said.

He added that the government will continue leveraging the zero-tariff framework to deepen trade ties with China while promoting inclusive growth through increased exports and value addition.

Lee Kinyanjui, Kenya's cabinet secretary for investments, trade and industry, said the policy shift would unlock new opportunities for Kenyan producers and exporters.

"Kenyan goods exported to China now enjoy zero tariffs, an unprecedented breakthrough in our export journey," he said. "This is more than a policy shift; it is a game changer that opens the door to one of the world's largest consumer markets and positions Kenya for a new era of trade growth and value addition."

He said the initiative will support economic growth by encouraging value addition, increasing farmers' incomes, creating jobs in agro-processing and helping to reduce Kenya's trade deficit with China.

Kinyanjui called on farmers, manufacturers and exporters to take advantage of improved rail connectivity and government support programs aimed at helping businesses meet export requirements.