Kenya’s tea industry recorded a rise in export earnings in 2025, with revenue increasing to Ksh186.9 billion as government reforms continued to reshape the sector.
Data from the Tea Board of Kenya (TBK) shows that tea export earnings rose from Ksh136.5 billion in 2021 to Ksh181.6 billion in 2024 before reaching Ksh186.9 billion in 2025.
Tea production also remained strong during the period, increasing from 537 million kilogrammes in 2021 to 598 million kilogrammes in 2024 before settling at 550 million kilogrammes in 2025.
Kenya Tea Exports Rise to Ksh186.9 Billion. Photo: Courtesy.
TBK Chief Executive Officer Willy Mutai attributed the gains to reforms implemented over the past four years, which have also contributed to higher payments to tea farmers.
The average green leaf payment increased from Ksh35 per kilogramme in 2021 to Ksh64 in 2024, before falling to Ksh56 per kilogramme in 2025.
The government is targeting payments of at least Ksh100 per kilogramme by next year as it seeks to improve returns to farmers.
The target will be supported through efforts to enhance tea quality, reduce production costs, increase value addition and improve access to competitive markets.
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe noted that tea remains an important source of income for hundreds of thousands of households and a key contributor to rural economies.
The government is also seeking to diversify Kenya’s tea export markets beyond traditional destinations, including Pakistan, Egypt, the United Kingdom, Sudan, Afghanistan and the United Arab Emirates.
Authorities plan to strengthen existing trade relationships while pursuing opportunities in new and high-growth markets to increase demand for Kenyan tea and improve returns across the value chain.
