Kenya’s tea production drops 4.5% in August as adverse weather hits key growing regions

KENYA – Kenya’s tea production declined by 4.5 per cent in August 2025 to 36.87 million kilogrammes, down from 38.6 million kilogrammes recorded during the same period in 2024, according to the latest report by the Tea Board of Kenya.  

The drop follows earlier monthly decreases, with farmers producing 39.04 million kilogrammes in July and 42.41 million kilogrammes in June. 

Tea Board CEO Willy Mutai attributed the decline to prolonged dry and cold weather conditions, as well as reduced rainfall across major tea-growing regions.  

The East of Rift area experienced the most severe impact, receiving less than 13mm of daily precipitation, while the West of Rift recorded up to 16mm per day. Nandi County registered the highest rainfall, ranging between 27.1mm and 98.8mm. 

Production in the East of Rift region fell by 16 per cent to 6.3 million kilogrammes, compared to 7.53 million kilogrammes last August. The West of Rift recorded a smaller decline of 1.68 per cent, dropping from 31.09 million kilogrammes to 30.56 million. 

Mutai noted that smallholder factories managed by the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) were the most affected, given their strong presence in regions hit hardest by weather variations. 

Specialty tea output for the month stood at 1.187 million kilogrammes, representing 3.2 per cent of total production, mainly dominated by orthodox teas from plantations and independent processors, with smaller quantities of green and purple tea produced by cottage factories. 

Overall, cumulative tea production between February and August declined by 10.82 per cent from 402.79 million kilogrammes last year to 359.16 million kilogrammes.  

The report projects annual output at 553 million kilogrammes, significantly lower than the 594 million recorded in 2024 and the 570 million achieved in 2023, owing to continued depressed rainfall expected in the final quarter of the year. 

At the Mombasa auction, 22.86 million kilogrammes of Kenyan tea were sold in August, a decrease from the 25.11 million kilogrammes sold during the same month last year. Mutai said reduced supply, combined with stronger demand, resulted in a higher absorption rate of 65 per cent, compared to 52 per cent in August 2024. 

The weighted average monthly auction price was slightly lower at US$2.14 per kilogramme, compared to US$2.20 last year, though marginally higher than the US$2.05 recorded in July. Premium CTC leaf and Dust grades with superior brightness and appearance fetched better prices. 

Tea exports fell from 55.57 million kilogrammes in July to 52.23 million in August, shipped to 59 markets. Local consumption also dipped to 2.96 million kilogrammes, down from 3.28 million last year and 3.71 million in 2023.  

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