Tea Insights – Kenyan Tea Exports Q1 2025: Data and Insights for Buyers
Official Tea Board data, interpreted for smarter buying decisions
▲ Editor’s note (July 2025):
April–June figures from the Tea Board haven’t been published yet. We’ll update this guide once they’re released so you can keep your planning current.
Why real export data matters to Kenyan tea importers
Kenyan tea reaches over 90 markets worldwide, far beyond the large traditional buyers like Pakistan and Egypt. In Q1 2025 alone, buyers across the Gulf, Central Asia, East and West Africa, Europe, and Asia continued sourcing Kenyan origin, driven by consumer demand for quality, consistency, and blends that resonate locally.
But this guide isn’t just about numbers. It’s about helping you, as an importer or tea brand, see the bigger picture.
Kenyan tea export statistics
Q1 2025 by month and market
Month Export Volume (Million Kgs) Leading destinations and what this shows
Jan 47.21
Feb 42.34
Mar 47.17
Strong demand from Pakistan (36%), Egypt, Gulf markets; new orders from China and India hint at diversification
Softer month overall, but steady interest from Sudan, Oman, Kazakhstan and emerging buyers keeps trade routes active
Demand rebounded, led by Pakistan, Egypt (12.4%), Gulf, Central Asia; seasonal restocking ahead of Ramadan likely influenced volumes
Insight:
Even in softer months, Kenyan tea moved into over 50 destinations — underscoring its role in blends and private label lines worldwide.
Why these numbers matter to your buying strategy
For importers, these numbers help you see:
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Where demand is building outside the usual top three buyers
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Which regions are starting to show consistent monthly orders rather than seasonal spikes
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How wide the customer base for Kenyan tea has become, making the origin less vulnerable to single-market disruptions
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Seasonal patterns: Q1 often sees restocking for Ramadan and colder months in key markets; knowing this helps you plan shipments ahead.
This isn’t just historical data; it’s market intelligence. By understanding where Kenyan tea is actually shipping each month, you can time your own purchases, see where competitors might be growing share, and plan promotions or inventory for rising destinations before everyone else does.
Month Vol (Million Kgs) Leading destinations (By share) Market Insight
Jan 47.21
Feb 42.34
Mar 47.17
Pakistan (36%), Egypt (16%), Sudan, Russia, UAE, India, Oman, China, Kazakhstan
Strong start supported by consistent bulk Kenyan tea demand in South Asia and Gulf market
Pakistan (34.9%), Egypt (13.75%), Sudan, Russia, India, UAE, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Oman
Softer month but Gulf and North African buyers helped keep volumes stable
Value‑added Kenyan tea: small volume, strategic impact
Value‑added Kenyan tea (retail packs, tea bags, flavoured and orthodox teas) makes up a modest share (3%) of total exports, but it plays an outsized role for importers targeting premium shelves and private label lines.
Month Export Volume (Million Kgs) Key demand signals
Jan 1.38
Feb 1.45
Mar 1.45
Interest from Gulf, Asia and African distributors looking for shelf‑ready retail packs and specialty blends
Continued orders from European cash‑and‑carry chains and West African distributors launching own‑label brands
Stable buying across regions; demand driven by private label strategies and flavoured blends
Why these numbers matter for your strategy
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We’re seeing more cash‑and‑carry chains, wholesalers, and regional distributors in Europe, the Gulf and West Africa now launching own‑label brands instead of relying on big multinationals.
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This is opening space for Kenyan origin tea, packed to international standards (retail packs, tea bags, flavoured blends) — to go straight onto shelves under the buyer’s own brand.
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Some importers aren’t investing in private label, but still want ready‑to‑ship Kenyan tea that meets retail specifications and can quickly fill seasonal or promotional gaps.
Whether you’re exploring private label, ready‑packed SKUs, or just adding a premium Kenyan line to your portfolio, these trends show real demand, not just from legacy tea brands, but from importers building their own labels and customer loyalty on Kenya’s reputation for quality.
Where Kenyan tea actually goes, and why it matters:
Beyond Pakistan and Egypt, in Q1 2025 alone, Kenyan tea moved to:
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Gulf: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Iran
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North Africa: Sudan, Egypt
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Central Asia: Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan
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West and East Africa: Nigeria, Ghana, Burkina Faso, South Sudan
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Asia: China, Malaysia, Japan, India
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Europe and Americas: France, Italy, Poland, Canada, Brazil
What this really means for you as a buyer:
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Demand for Kenyan tea is wide and steady, not tied to one or two big markets.
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Kenyan origin remains central to many blends sold globally, so even if you import for a niche or regional brand, you’re in step with worldwide buying patterns.
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Tracking which regions order more each quarter can help you:
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Diversify your sourcing beyond your current core markets
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Time shipments to seasonal or promotional peaks
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Spot where competitors might be moving next
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Q1 data shows rising orders from Central Asia, West Africa and China, real signs of growing demand outside traditional destinations.
Beyond the raw numbers, what really matters is what they mean for your business.
We track, interpret, and translate this data into clear, actionable insight, so Kenyan tea exporters can plan smarter, reduce risk, and seize opportunities in markets where demand for Kenyan tea is real and growing.