Kenya’s tea production drops 12% in H1 2025 amid dry weather, lower rainfall
Exports and production decline as prolonged dry weather and reduced rainfall hit Kenya’s tea sector in early 2025.
KENYA – Kenya’s tea production fell sharply in the first half of 2025, dropping 12.39% to 283.25 million kilograms from 323.30 million kilograms in the same period in 2024, according to data from the Tea Board of Kenya (TBK).
The decline was attributed to prolonged dry and sunny conditions and reduced rainfall following the end of the long rains season. In June alone, output fell 8.11% year-on-year to 42.42 million kilograms from 46.16 million kilograms.
The Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) factories recorded a fall in green leaf production to 21.74 million kilograms from 23.83 million kilograms in June 2024. Large-scale tea estates also saw output decline to 10.36 million kilograms compared to 12.16 million kilograms in the same month last year.
Smallholder farmers under KTDA were hardest hit, with half-year production plunging 16.3% to 148.77 million kilograms from 177.83 million kilograms. Estates output dropped 12.3% to 64.58 million kilograms, Nyayo Tea Zones fell 17.8% to 2.19 million kilograms, while independent producers recorded a modest 2.2% decrease to 67.71 million kilograms.
Regionally, the West of Rift zone registered a 13.0% contraction to 186.5 million kilograms, compared to an 11.2% drop in the East of Rift to 96.7 million kilograms.
Despite weaker production, auction sales in June rose to 32.34 million kilograms from 28.47 million kilograms a year earlier, although average prices eased to US$2.01 from US$2.14. Absorption improved to 56% from 45%, with smallholder teas averaging US$2.46 per kilogram.
Exports over the half-year fell 9% to 274.6 million kilograms from 302.9 million kilograms in 2024. The commodity was shipped to 53 international markets, led by Pakistan as the largest importer.
Local tea sales rose 12% to 3.21 million kilograms in June but cumulative sales dipped 2.6% to 17.98 million kilograms in the first half of 2025.
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