Kenya’s Tea Sector Grows, Exporting $15 Million This Quarter Kenya’s tea sector experienced substantial growth in exports between July and September 2024, reaching sales valued at approximately $15 million (Sh2.24 billion), marking a significant increase from last year’s figures. Export volumes rose to 155.09 million kilograms, up from 120.24 million kilograms in the same period last year, according to the Tea Board of Kenya (TBK).
On the domestic front, tea sales increased slightly to 8.54 million kilograms, up from 8.49 million last year. TBK Chief Executive Willy Mutai attributed the earnings rise to heightened demand from international markets, fueled by the depreciation of the Kenyan shilling against the US dollar, enhancing Kenyan tea’s price competitiveness globally.
To further improve Kenya’s global tea market share, TBK has implemented a “green leaf quality assessment programme” to encourage better production standards. This program conducts blind tastings and ranks teas from all factories, with those receiving lower quality scores being placed in the “strategic quality improvement programme” for targeted enhancements.
Kenya’s tea exports have long relied on Pakistan and Egypt as primary markets. However, economic strains and regional conflicts have affected demand from these countries. In response, TBK has rolled out a five-year diversification strategy, aiming to broaden market access and reduce dependency on these regions. This strategy targets emerging markets such as the United States, Canada, Germany, Poland, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Iran, Iraq, Türkiye, Japan, China, South Africa, and Ghana.
TBK and Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA)-managed factories are emphasizing quality, especially in the Rift Valley factories, which have been advised to improve green leaf standards. TBK Chairman Enos Njeru highlighted the sector-wide commitment to uphold high-quality production, essential for Kenya’s reputation and demand in global tea markets, noting that “sustaining Kenya’s tea industry depends on quality adherence across the entire value chain.”
