Kenya approves direct tea exports in policy shift to boost farmer earnings, global market access 

KENYA – Kenya’s Ministry of Agriculture has announced a significant policy shift allowing all 142 tea factories across the country to sell tea directly to international markets.  

The move is designed to boost profit margins for farmers by eliminating intermediaries and improving transparency in the tea value chain. 

Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Mutahi Kagwe, stated that the new policy supports improved earnings for smallholder tea farmers and aligns with efforts to access emerging international markets. 

“We want to ensure better returns for farmers, strengthen governance in the tea sub-sector, and promote transparency in smallholder tea factories,” Kagwe said. 

To support the international promotion of Kenyan tea, Kagwe said he will lead a high-level delegation, including representatives from the Tea Board of Kenya (TBK), Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA), and East African Tea Trade Association (EATTA), to countries such as China, India, Russia, and the Middle East. 

Additionally, Kagwe also announced the planned launch of an orthodox tea auction window within the Integrated Tea Trading System this June.  

Managed jointly by EATTA and TBK, the new auction window will enhance the marketing of premium orthodox teas and help diversify the country’s tea offerings beyond the traditional Cut, Tear, and Curl (CTC) formats. 

Meanwhile, the Kenya Tea Management Services (KTMS) has reassured farmers that tea consignments previously held at the Port of Mombasa have been released and sold following the reversal of a ban on direct exports.  

KTMS Chairman Solomon Maina confirmed that the backlog has been cleared, with improved demand now driving better prices for farmers. 

Maina also warned that overall tea volumes for the year may be lower than in 2024 due to inadequate rainfall in December and April. However, he noted that the reduced supply could lead to higher prices in global markets. 

He emphasized the importance of quality control, urging farmers to maintain high standards to capitalize on the growing demand for Kenyan tea worldwide. 

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