Main destinations of Kenyan tea exports 2021

As of December 2021, Pakistan was the leading export destination for tea produced in Kenya. The country in South Asia imported roughly 18.6 thousand metric tons of the product, accounting for about 40 percent of the total exports. That same month, the export volume of Kenyan tea reached nearly 46 thousand metric tons, and the commodity was traded with over 45 countries.

 Tea: a key commodity  for the Kenyan economy

  Kenya is one of the main tea exporters globally, only behind China and Sri Lanka. In the African continent, the country is by far the main tea producer. Unsurprisingly, the commodity plays a key role in the Kenyan economy. In June 2021, the tea trade generated 9.5 billion Kenyan shillings (roughly 86.2 million U.S. dollars) in earnings for Kenya. Furthermore, together with coffee, mate, and spices, the commodity accounted for 24 percent of Kenya’s exports.

 Rise of coffee consumption in Kenya

  By 2025, the Kenyan tea market revenue is expected to reach two billion U.S. dollars, increasing from 1.6 billion in 2021. The item dominates the hot drinks industry in Kenya. However, this scenario has been slightly and slowly changing, as Kenya has been experiencing a fast-rising coffee drinking culture. Domestic consumption of coffee was estimated to reach 1,500 metric tons in the season 2019/2020. Ten years before, it was measured at only 510 metric tons.