Kenya’s tea exports fell sharply by 20 per cent to 157,514 tonnes within the first quarter of 2025 owing to a chronic dry spell in rising areas.
Statistics present that between January and March, Kenya earned $356M from tea exports—down from $446M.
Kenya’s tea has at all times discovered a gradual market in Pakistan, the UK, Russia, Sudan and Chad.
Kenya’s tea sector, lengthy a pillar of the nation’s export economic system, is feeling the sting of unpredictable climate patterns. Based on the most recent information from the Kenya Nationwide Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), income from Kenya’s tea exports fell sharply by 20 per cent within the first quarter of 2025, a downturn attributed to decrease cargo volumes following a chronic dry spell in tea rising areas.
Between January and March, Kenya earned KES46.07 billion (about $356 million) from tea exports—down from $446 million recorded throughout the identical interval within the comparable quarter in 2024. The decline comes at a time when the East African nation is grappling with excessive climate circumstances which have disrupted manufacturing throughout key agricultural zones.
Manufacturing shrinks because the climate withers yields
The KNBS report exhibits that tea export volumes dropped to 157,514 tonnes, a 7.3 per cent decline from the 169,830 tonnes shipped throughout the identical quarter final yr. This important shortfall in quantity, business insiders say, is the direct results of a dry and unyielding local weather that blanketed main tea-growing areas within the early a part of the yr.
“The three months have been characterised by unusually dry climate,” stated Willy Mutai, Chief Government Officer of the Tea Board of Kenya (TBK). He added that tea manufacturing was severely disrupted in February, with output falling by 21 per cent within the east of the Rift Valley and 18.6 per cent within the west.
This uneven local weather has compounded challenges for tea farmers and exporters already underneath stress from fluctuating international demand and risky costs in key markets.
Tea export market shake-up and the China frontier
Historically, Kenya’s black tea has discovered a gradual market in nations equivalent to Pakistan, the UK, Russia, Sudan and Chad. Nonetheless, with revenues shrinking and international competitors intensifying, the federal government and personal sector gamers are wanting eastward for an answer.
Not too long ago, Kenya entered into agreements with Chinese language companies to spice up exports to China, a populous tea-loving nation with a quickly rising center class and urge for food for selection. The bold plan seeks to boost exports to the Asian big from 12.2 million kilograms in 2024 to 50 million kilograms by 2030.
On Might twelfth, Agriculture Cupboard Secretary Mutahi Kagwe hosted Mr. Zhang Chaobin, Chairman of Benny Tea Industries (China), as a part of efforts to develop Kenya’s footprint within the Chinese language tea market.
A day later, President William Ruto hosted Fuzhou Benny Tea Industries Chairman Zhang Chaobin at State Home Nairobi to debate methods of accelerating entry of Kenyan tea to the Chinese language market.
Benny Tea Industries ranks among the many prime three firms in China’s provide chain in tea manufacturing and retail. In an replace, Dr. Ruto stated Benny Tea Industries is exploring methods of fulfilling their annual necessities of orthodox tea from the Kenyan market. Zhang Chaobin additionally dedicated to put money into trendy orthodox tea manufacturing factories in chosen tea-growing counties, in addition to enhancing worth addition of Kenya’s orthodox tea.
All these measures intention at diversifying tea export locations and will show very important in cushioning Kenya’s tea business from over-reliance on a couple of markets—particularly as geopolitical uncertainties and financial headwinds buffet worldwide commerce.
In mid Might 2025, President William Ruto hosted Fuzhou Benny Tea Industries Chairman Zhang Chaobin at State Home, Nairobi, to debate methods of accelerating entry of Kenyan tea to the Chinese language market as a part of shoring up shipments for the nation’s key foreign exchange earner. (Supply/State Home Nairobi)
Tea business: A important financial pillar underneath pressure
Regardless of the dip in quarter one tea exports, greenleaf stays one in all Kenya’s prime international alternate earners, alongside tourism and horticulture. The sector helps hundreds of thousands of livelihoods, notably in rural areas the place tea farming is a lifestyle handed down via generations.
But, this newest stoop serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities inside Kenya’s rain-fed agricultural worth chain, particularly within the face of local weather change. As climate patterns develop more and more unpredictable, stakeholders are being urged to take a position extra in climate-resilient farming practices, irrigation infrastructure, and early-warning methods to mitigate future shocks.
Learn additionally: Kenya’s Tea Exports Improve 19 Per Cent In Q1,2024
