Kenya’s tea exports drop in first half of 2025 as weather conditions hit production 

KENYA – Kenya’s tea exports declined in the first half of 2025, dropping to 274.6 million kilograms between January and June compared to 302.8 million kilograms during the same period in 2024.  

According to the Tea Board of Kenya (TBK), the commodity was shipped to 53 international markets, with Pakistan leading as the largest importer. 

Data released by TBK Chief Executive Officer Willy Mutai on August 11 showed Pakistan imported 97.3 million kilograms of Kenyan tea during the six months.  

Egypt followed with 37.2 million kilograms, while the United Kingdom bought 20.7 million kilograms. Other notable markets included the United Arab Emirates (13.3 million kilograms), Russia, Sudan, and Hong Kong. 

In June alone, Kenya exported 41.31 million kilograms of tea to 52 countries, an increase from 40.61 million kilograms in June 2024. Pakistan purchased the largest consignment at 12.43 million kilograms, representing 29.9 percent of total exports for the month.  

Egypt ranked second with 6.7 million kilograms, followed by the United Kingdom with 3.6 million kilograms. Russia and the UAE imported 2.4 million kilograms and 2.2 million kilograms, respectively. 

The report highlighted fluctuations in specific markets. Hong Kong imported 79,380 kilograms compared to 22,680 kilograms in the previous year, while Sudan’s imports dropped significantly to 91,036 kilograms from 768,673 kilograms.  

There was also notable growth in shipments to Switzerland, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, Turkey, and the Netherlands. Seasonal markets such as Israel, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Senegal, and France also registered stronger demand. 

On production, TBK reported that Kenya produced 42.4 million kilograms of tea in June, lower than the 46.1 million kilograms produced during the same month in 2024.

Smallholder factories under the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) and independent producers in the west of the Rift Valley recorded a decline from 32.89 million kilograms to 29.14 million kilograms, largely due to adverse weather conditions. 

KTDA factories registered a drop in green leaf production to 21.74 million kilograms from 23.83 million kilograms in June 2024. Similarly, large-scale tea estates were affected, producing 10.36 million kilograms compared to 12.16 million kilograms in the same month of the previous year.  

The Nyayo Tea Zones also recorded a steep decline, producing 188,631 kilograms compared to 406,058 kilograms in 2024. 

Domestically, tea consumption showed improvement, with Kenyans drinking 3.21 million kilograms in June, up from 2.86 million kilograms in June 2024 and 2.85 million kilograms in June 2023.  

However, cumulative local sales for the half-year period stood at 17.98 million kilograms, slightly lower than the 18.47 million kilograms recorded in 2024 but higher than the 17.40 million kilograms sold in 2023. 

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