MOMBASA, Kenya — Kenya is stepping up efforts to expand exports of orthodox tea to Germany as a week-long familiarisation tour by a German delegation concluded with high-level stakeholder engagements in Mombasa, signalling renewed momentum in bilateral trade ties.
The tour ended with a consultative meeting at the East African Tea Trade Association (EATTA), bringing together tea producers, buyers, brokers and packers across the value chain.
The engagement focused on strengthening commercial linkages, aligning quality standards and positioning Kenyan orthodox tea more competitively in the European market.
Speaking on behalf of Trade Principal Secretary Regina Ombam, Assistant Director for Trade Peter Chege said the initiative was part of a broader government strategy to diversify export destinations and build resilient, long-term trade partnerships.
“This familiarisation tour is aimed at deepening market access for Kenyan tea in Germany and across Europe,” Chege said.
“The State Department for Trade remains fully committed to supporting this process by working closely with the Kenya Embassy in Berlin, the German Tea and Herbal Infusion Association, and all industry stakeholders to ensure these engagements translate into tangible commercial outcomes.”
Chege noted that Kenya’s orthodox tea segment — traditionally overshadowed by the country’s dominant CTC tea exports — is steadily gaining traction in Europe, driven by strict adherence to international quality standards and responsiveness to evolving consumer preferences.
Germany is among Europe’s key tea markets, with rising demand for specialty, sustainably produced and traceable tea varieties. Industry players say this shift presents a strategic opportunity for Kenya to diversify its tea export profile and reduce overreliance on traditional bulk markets.
Frank Schübel, Chairman of the German Tea and Herbal Infusion Association, praised Kenya’s commitment to quality and product diversity, describing the tour as a critical step in deepening industry collaboration between the two countries.
“Kenya’s passion for quality and the diversity of its tea offerings stand out,” Schübel said. “This tour will further strengthen the Kenya–Germany tea partnership and open new avenues for long-term cooperation.”
The engagement also allowed German buyers to assess Kenya’s production processes, sustainability practices and regulatory compliance firsthand, an increasingly important consideration in the European Union market amid tightening environmental and social governance requirements.
The tour was organised by the State Department for Trade in collaboration with the Tea Board of Kenya, the Kenyan Embassy in Berlin and the German Tea and Herbal Infusion Association.
Officials said the joint approach reflects a growing emphasis on trade diplomacy and coordinated market development.
Kenya is the world’s leading exporter of black tea, but policymakers have in recent years pushed for value addition and market diversification to cushion farmers and exporters from price volatility.
