Kenya’s tea export earnings fell by 20% in the first quarter of 2025, driven by a decline in shipment volumes, the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) reported on Tuesday.
The country earned Ksh.46.07 billion (approximately $356 million) between January and March, down from $446 million in the same period last year.
Export volumes dropped by 7.3% to 157,514 tonnes, compared to 169,830 tonnes in Q1 2024.
The decline was largely attributed to reduced production following a prolonged dry spell, according to the report released in Nairobi.
The Tea Board of Kenya (TBK) noted that unusually dry weather during the quarter significantly impacted output.
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“Production in February dropped by 21% in the East Rift and 18.6% in the West Rift,” said TBK CEO Willy Mutai.
Despite the downturn, Kenya remains focused on diversifying its tea export markets beyond traditional buyers like Pakistan, the UK, Russia, and Chad.
The country has signed new agreements with Chinese firms, targeting an increase in tea exports to China from 12.2 million kg in 2024 to 50 million kg by 2030.
Tea continues to rank among Kenya’s top foreign exchange earners, alongside tourism and horticulture.
