Kenya's tea exports have seen a 3% increase year-on-year, rising to 239.91 million kilogrammes between January and May 2026, up from 233.29 million kilogrammes during the same period last year. This growth is largely attributed to stronger demand in key export markets, particularly Pakistan, Egypt, and the United Kingdom. The increase in exports comes as the sector continues to navigate through challenges such as higher logistics costs and disruptions to shipping routes.
Pakistan remained the leading destination for Kenyan tea, importing 94.15 million kilogrammes during the five-month period. This represents an 11% increase from a year earlier and accounts for 39.2% of Kenya's total tea exports. Egypt was the second-largest market, taking 40.15 million kilogrammes after imports from Kenya increased by 32%. The UK followed with 19.88 million kilogrammes, representing a 16% increase.
The importance of Pakistan to Kenya's tea trade has remained evident in previous years. In 2024, Pakistan bought 206.27 million kilogrammes of Kenyan tea, equivalent to 34.7% of the country's total tea exports that year. Egypt purchased 86.9 million kilogrammes, while the UK took 57.44 million kilogrammes. These figures highlight the continued reliance of Kenya's tea industry on a relatively small group of markets.
The January-May 2026 figures also show significant growth in some smaller markets. Yemen recorded the sharpest increase among the destinations listed, with Kenyan tea exports surging by 318% to 5.85 million kilogrammes. Uzbekistan, Iraq, Japan, and Turkey also recorded increases, although their export volumes remained considerably below those of Pakistan, Egypt, and the UK.
However, the gains were partly offset by declining shipments to several established markets. Exports to Oman and Sudan each fell by 59%, while shipments to South Africa dropped by 61%. Germany recorded a 46% decline and India a 21% fall. India received 4.64 million kilogrammes of Kenyan tea during the period, while other destinations such as the UAE, Russia, and Saudi Arabia also recorded varied performances.
The performance comes after Kenya's tea export earnings declined in the financial year ended June 2025. Tea export earnings fell 13.41% to Sh176.76 billion from Sh204.14 billion a year earlier, marking the first annual decline in seven years. The sector has also faced pressure from geopolitical disruptions, including disruptions to Middle East shipping routes that left millions of kilogrammes of tea in warehouses in Mombasa.
The latest export volumes point to moderate growth in Kenya's tea trade, even as individual markets continue to show sharply different trends. The additional 6.62 million kilogrammes exported during January-May 2026 compared with the same period in 2025 reflects stronger purchases in key destinations, particularly Pakistan and Egypt.
Key points
- Pakistan remained the leading destination for Kenyan tea, importing 94.15 million kilogrammes during the five-month period.
- Egypt was the second-largest market for Kenyan tea, taking 40.15 million kilogrammes after imports from Kenya increased by 32%.
- Kenya's tea exports rose by 3% year-on-year to 239.91 million kilogrammes between January and May 2026.
