KTDA Tea Grades: A Practical Guide for Importers
Understanding KTDA and Kenyan Tea Standards
What is KTDA?
The Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) is a government-linked organisation and shareholder-based body that manages over 600,000 smallholder tea farmers. KTDA plays a central role in processing and marketing Kenya’s tea exports, helping small-scale farmers access global markets.
Kenyan tea gardens—especially those producing CTC tea—do not sell directly to exporters. Instead, KTDA represents these farmers by coordinating the collection and processing of green leaf into standardised tea grades.
The processed teas are then presented for sale at the Mombasa Tea Auction.
How Kenyan Tea Grades Are Decided
Tea factories in Kenya sort processed tea leaves mechanically using vibro-screens. The sorting process classifies teas according to:
√ Leaf Size
√ Leaf shape
√ Intended Market Use
This grading system ensures uniformity, traceability, and predictable quality for buyers across different markets.
Why Tea Grading Matters For You
Kenya’s tea grading standards directly impact:
Flavour strength | Brewing speed | Leaf appearance | Market suitability
Understanding these factors helps tea importers select the right grades to meet their market’s brewing preferences, price points, and quality expectations.
KTDA Tea Grades:
Kenyan tea processed under KTDA and other licensed factories falls into two primary categories, each suited to different markets and brewing styles:
1. CTC Grades (Crush, Tear, Curl)
These teas are produced using a mechanical process that crushes, tears, and curls the leaf into uniform granules—ideal for strong, fast-brewing teas and high-volume markets like tea bag manufacturing.
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Primary Grades:
BP1, PF1, PD, Dust 1
These are the most in-demand grades, each offering distinct strengths in liquor, leaf appearance, and infusion speed.
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Secondary Grades:
FNGS, Dust, PF, BMF (Broken Mixed Fannings)
Popular in budget-friendly blends and quick-brew formats, these grades support consistent supply at competitive prices.
2. Orthodox Grades:
Orthodox teas are carefully hand-rolled or gently processed to preserve leaf shape, aroma, and character—making them ideal for premium loose-leaf markets and discerning buyers who value leaf appearance and complexity.
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Common Orthodox Grades:
PEKOE, OPA, FOP, OP1, FBOPFSP, FBOPFSP1, FOF
These grades appeal to markets where visual quality and layered flavor profiles command higher shelf value and consumer loyalty.
How the Mombasa Auction Influences Tea Grade Pricing
Kenyan teas processed by KTDA and private factories are sold through the Mombasa Tea Auction, where licensed brokers present teas for exporters like us to buy.
Auction prices vary by grade and are mainly influenced by:
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Global market preferences
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Liquor strength and leaf appearance
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Seasonal availability and quality trends
Each tea grade commands a premium or a discount depending on how closely it matches demand from key consumer markets.
See the table below for an overview of Kenyan tea grades and how market demand impacts pricing for major CTC grades.
Looking for recent trends? Explore last year’s performance and pricing insights in the Kenyan tea industry.
KTDA KENYA CTC TEA GRADES
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Grade: BP1 – Broken Pekoe 1
Leaf Appearance: Large, round, grainy granules
Liquor (Brew): Bright, medium-bodied cup with brisk flavor
Best For: Premium loose-leaf tea lines; economical loose blends
Markets: Central Asia (Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan) - premium BP1. Sudan - lower-priced BP1 for everyday consumption
Notes: BP1 is valued for its attractive leaf appearance and smooth liquor. Premium markets prioritise granule size and bold leaf.
Grade: PF1 – Pekoe Fanning 1
Leaf Appearance: Fine, uniform granules
Liquor (Brew): Strong, bright, dark liquor with a quick infusion
Best For: Tea bags, mass-market, quick-brew single-serve teas
Markets: Europe and West Africa for Lipton-style blends (PF1 dominant); Pakistan (garden production). Demand from Pakistan too
Notes: PF1 is the most traded grade at the auction. High global demand comes from tea bag producers seeking brisk, quick-infusion teas.
Grade: PD – Pekoe Dust
Leaf Appearance: Smaller particles than PF1; fine, slightly dusty texture
Liquor (Brew): Very strong, brisk, full-bodied liquor with a sharp edge
Best For: Strong tea blends, budget tea bags, high-demand markets
Markets: Egypt for El Arosa-style blends and the Middle East (especially Yemen) for Al-Kbous style blends
Notes: PD is highly sought after where bold flavour and fast brewing are priorities and for its strength-to-cost ratio when blending.
Grade: Dust 1
Leaf Appearance: Powder-like, extremely fine particles
Liquor (Brew): Extremely strong, dark liquor with rapid brewing
Best For: Industrial tea bags, bulk blends for strong tea
Markets: Egypt, Sudan, Yemen – prioritising quick, strong brews
Notes: Dust 1 is essential for industrial tea blends where quick brew time and liquor strength are key purchase factors.
Grade: Fannings (FNGS)
Leaf Appearance: Finely broken tea leaf particles, brown leaf in colour
Liquor (Brew): Strong, bright liquor with fast brewing
Best For: Affordable loose tea blends and entry-level tea bags
Markets: Africa, Middle East – strong and economical loose-leaf markets
Notes: Fannings are used for quick, strong loose-leaf blends in budget-focused markets where fast brewing is valued.
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Grade: BMF Broken Mixed Fannings
Leaf Appearance: Fibrous, flaky broken particles
Liquor (Brew): Brisk, plain liquor with moderate strength
Best For: Low-cost blended teas and budget-focused tea packs
Markets: Africa, Middle East markets for low-cost blending options
Notes: BMF supports value-driven blends where affordability and dark cup colour is prioritised over liquor finesse.
Frequently Asked Questions About KTDA Tea Grades
01
What are KTDA tea grades?
KTDA tea grades refer to standard Kenyan tea classifications—such as BP1, PF1, PD, and Dust 1—used for teas grown by small-scale farmers under the Kenya Tea Development Agency. While best known for CTC teas, Kenya also produces Orthodox grades like OPA and Pekoe, for premium loose-leaf markets.
02
Which KTDA tea grade suits my market?
It depends on your customers. PF1 and PD are best for tea bags. Dust 1 is popular in strong-brew markets like Egypt and Sudan. BP1 suits premium loose-leaf segments. We offer samples and advice based on your specific target market.
03
What is the strongest Kenyan tea grade?
Dust 1 and PD are the strongest Kenyan tea grades in terms of liquor strength and color. They are preferred in markets that demand bold, fast-brewing teas. PF1 is also widely used in tea bags for its strong, brisk cup and quick infusion.
04
What is the best tea grade in Kenya?
There is no single "best" Kenyan tea grade. Each grade serves a different market need. Some buyers prefer strong, fast-brewing teas like Dust 1 or PF1, while others prioritize leaf size and appearance, like BP1. The best grade is the one that matches your market’s taste and packaging needs.
05
How can I import KTDA tea grades from Kenya?
As licensed Kenyan exporters, we source KTDA tea grades based on your market needs, handle auction bidding, quality control, packaging, and export logistics—so you receive the right tea, ready for your customers.