Kenya sets ambitious target to quadruple tea exports to China by 2030
The government aims to expand its presence in China’s tea market while implementing reforms to boost farmer earnings and output.
KENYA – Kenya has unveiled an ambitious plan to increase its tea exports to China more than fourfold by 2030.
The announcement was made by Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Mutahi Kagwe, following a strategic meeting with Zhang Chaobin, chairman of Fuzhou Benny Tea Industry Company Limited.
Kagwe said the country seeks to grow tea exports to China from the current 12.42 million kilograms in 2024 to 50 million kilograms by the end of the decade.
The move forms part of broader efforts to strengthen Kenya’s footprint in the Asian tea market, particularly for orthodox and specialty teas.
“This high-level engagement underlines Kenya’s strategic push to boost exports of orthodox and specialty teas,” the cabinet secretary stated. The government is also pursuing additional partnerships and trade arrangements to support this objective.
To enhance competitiveness and farmer income, the government recently waived taxes on packaging materials used in the tea industry.
According to Kagwe, this initiative will reduce value addition costs and ultimately benefit farmers by enabling them to earn more from their produce.
In April, Kagwe announced that Kenya is actively working to reclaim its position in the Iranian orthodox tea market and reinforce its stronghold in Pakistan.
As part of export reform, the government has authorised all 142 tea factories in the country to sell directly to global markets. This measure is aimed at eliminating intermediaries, improving transparency, and increasing profit margins for farmers.
The Kenya Tea Management Services (KTMS) also confirmed that tea consignments previously held at the Port of Mombasa have been released and sold, following the government’s reversal of a temporary ban on direct exports.
Meanwhile, the Tea Board of Kenya (TBK) reported a 13.55% decline in tea production during the first two months of 2025.
Output fell from 114.4 million kilograms in the same period in 2024 to 98.9 million kilograms, with February experiencing the most significant drop due to unusually dry weather conditions.
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