Tea in packings ≤3 kg market in Kenya

Earlier Report Observations

Regulatory initiatives in the late 2010s, including the draft National Tea Policy of 2018 and amendments to the Tea Bill, laid the groundwork for sector transformation. The market volume of tea in packings ≤3 kg declined in 2019 to 454 thousand tons, then surged in 2020 to 562 thousand tons following the enactment of the Tea Act 2020, which introduced mandatory auction sales and established the Tea Board of Kenya as the central regulator.

After the 2020 peak, market volume dipped in 2021 and 2022, stabilizing around 521‑525 thousand tons amid continued enforcement of the Tea Act provisions. In 2023, reforms within the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA)—such as the push for factory autonomy and the adoption of scientific tea testing—helped drive a recovery, with production reaching 570 thousand tons and market volume rising to 553 thousand tons.

Production tea in packings ≤3 kg in Kenya

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Kenya held the third position globally in the production of tea in packings of 3 kg or less.

Top producers of tea in packings ≤3 kg, 2017-2020

World map of production of tea in packings ≤3 kg, 2017-2020

In 2020, Kenya produced 569.5 thousand tonnes of tea in packings of 3 kg or less, marking a significant increase of 24.1% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 29.5%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 9.0%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 6.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Kenya in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the output of tea in packings of 3 kg or less in Kenya was valued at 1 906 million US dollars, showing a sharp rise of 51.3% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production increased by 57.2%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.3%. The most notable decline was in 2019, at 3.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Kenya in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports tea in packings ≤3 kg from Kenya

Exports in kind, t

Following two years of decline, Kenya's export volumes of tea in packings of 3 kg or less rebounded. In 2020, exports reached 7 308 tonnes, reflecting a substantial year-over-year increase of 47.7%. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 10.6%, with a CAGR of 3.4%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 4 949 tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 21.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Kenya in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom, Somalia, and Yemen were the primary destinations for Kenya's exports of tea in packings of 3 kg or less, accounting for 56.9%, 22.9%, and 4.6% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 84.4% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Kenya in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Exports reached a peak in 2020 and a trough in 2019, with a 1.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Kenya's exports of tea in packings of 3 kg or less amounted to 24 459 thousand US dollars, representing a steep rise of 80.1% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 13 583 thousand US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 24.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Kenya in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Over the 2017-2020 period, the United Kingdom, Somalia, and Chile were the main buyers of tea in packings of 3 kg or less from Kenya in value terms, accounting for 56.8%, 11.9%, and 6.2% of exports, respectively. Collectively, these three countries made up 74.8% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Kenya in value, 2017-2020

Imports tea in packings ≤3 kg to Kenya

Imports in kind, t

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed years. Imports peaked in 2018 at 145 tonnes and fell to a low of 18 tonnes in 2019, resulting in an 8.1-fold difference. In 2020, imports of tea in packings of 3 kg or less into Kenya amounted to 19 tonnes, a 3.8% increase from the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 87.7%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, with a surge of 239.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Kenya in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Uganda was the dominant supplier of tea in packings of 3 kg or less to Kenya, accounting for 70.8% of total imports in kind, with other countries sharing the remaining volume.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Kenya in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market during these years. Import values reached a maximum in 2018 at 369 thousand US dollars and dropped to a minimum in 2017, showing a 5-fold shift. In 2020, Kenya's import volume of tea in packings of 3 kg or less stood at 82 thousand US dollars, which is 55.4% lower than in 2019. The largest increase was recorded in 2018, with a jump of 401.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Kenya in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017-2020, Uganda, Sri Lanka, and China were the main sources for imports of tea in packings of 3 kg or less into Kenya in value terms, accounting for 27.0%, 18.4%, and 13.5% of imports, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 58.9% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Kenya in value, 2017-2020