NAIROBI, Kenya – Kenya earned Ksh.250 billion from tea sales in 2024, with export revenue driving the bulk of the earnings, according to the Tea Board of Kenya.
Speaking on Monday, the board’s CEO, Willy Mutai, announced that Ksh.215 billion came from exports, while local sales contributed Ksh.18 billion.
He also mentioned an additional Ksh.18 billion from “committed teas,” though he did not elaborate on the term.
“Tea remains a key pillar of our economy, and our export performance underscores its significance in global markets,” Mutai said.
Kenya’s tea production increased to 598 million kilograms in 2024, up from 570 million kilograms the previous year.
Mutai attributed much of the sector’s success to women, highlighting their role in the tea value chain across the country’s 834 tea farms.
“Our tea sector is built on the labor and expertise of countless women who contribute immensely to its growth,” he noted.
Tea is one of Kenya’s top foreign exchange earners, alongside cut flowers, coffee, and tropical fruits.
Pakistan remains the largest buyer of Kenyan tea, with Egypt, the U.K., and the U.A.E. also being major markets.
