Kenyan Tea for Taiwan’s Bubble Tea Market

Christine
Sep 30
3 min read

Updated: Oct 1

Taiwan’s Bubble Tea Market Snapshot

Taiwan remains the global hub for bubble tea, with both domestic chains and international franchises depending on steady tea imports. The base of every milk tea is strong, consistent black tea, chosen for its taste, price, and reliability.

According to the Kenya’s Tea Exports by destination report (Jan-Dec 2024), Taiwan imported 543,685 kgs of Kenyan tea, valued at $1.3 million.

While other tea producing origins are still larger suppliers, there is a clear and steady demand for Kenyan tea for bubble tea in Taiwan.

Orthodox Kenyan tea leaves spilling from a sack alongside a creamy milk bubble tea made with Kenyan tea for the Taiwan market. — From sack to cup. Orthodox Kenyan tea delivers the strong base that gives Taiwan’s bubble tea its creamy, full-bodied taste. *AI Illustrated

What Taiwan Buys from other Origins

India and Sri Lanka, most traders buy BM tea, a low-cost “Broken Mixed” grade made from FNGS (Fannings) and small broken leaves. BM is popular for bubble tea because it gives deep colour and strong taste at a low price. Importers also source orthodox OP and OP1, often blending BM with OP1 to raise the quality of the liquor.
Vietnam: Buyers turn to low-cost CTC for milk tea, as well as green teas, filling gaps where margins are thin.
China: The focus remains on green teas - Gunpowder and Chunmee, which are not directly used in milk tea but still shape Taiwan’s tea trade.
Kenya: Kenyan Orthodox teas such as FOP & OP1 for their liquor brightness for their and CTC Fannings a grade, valued for it's, strength, and reliability in milk tea blends. These grades already fit the requirements of bubble tea chains in Taiwan.

Kenya’s Alternative to BM (Broken Mixed) Tea

Kenya doesn’t produce BM as a named grade, but we offer close equivalents. offers the same grade which we call DM (Dry Mouth).

DM (Dry Mouth): DM comes from the production stage before sorting into grades like BP1, PF1, PD, and Dust (CTC) or OP, OPA, OP1, FBOP (orthodox). It's mixed by-product from production, serving as Kenya’s equivalent to BM. Functionally similar for milk teas.
PD and Dust grades: Stronger, cheaper CTC teas that deliver excellent liquor strength in bubble tea applications.

For Taiwanese tea companies, this means Kenya can match Indian BM teas while also offering stronger, cost-effective options that improve yield in milk tea.

Orthodox Options for Bubble Tea Blends

Taiwan importers blending orthodox teas with BM or CTC can also source from Kenya:

OP, OP1, OPA, FOP, BOP, FBOP - all available with reliable consistency. This creates opportunities to design blends that align with existing Sri Lankan and Indian standards while introducing Kenyan supply into the mix.

Certification and Compliance

All our teas are produced under ISO and HACCP certification. For Taiwanese distributors, this guarantees product safety, traceability, and consistency. These factors matter when supplying to a competitive, brand-driven market like bubble tea.

Samples Available

We can provide samples across both Kenyan CTC and orthodox tea grades, including: BP1, PF1, OP, OP1, OPA, FOP, BOP, FBOP, PD, Dust, FNGS, and BM.

Brown paper sacks of Kenyan Orthodox OP1 tea labeled ‘Produce of Kenya, Net Weight 25Kg’ being offloaded from a distributor’s truck to a bubble tea shop in Taipei — From Kenya to distributor to store. Kenyan Orthodox OP1 tea being delivered to a Taipei bubble tea shop, ready to be brewed into Taiwan’s favourite drinks. *AI Illustrated

Why Kenyan Tea Fits Taiwan’s Bubble Tea Industry

Value: Kenya’s teas often compete on price with India and Sri Lanka while offering higher strength in the cup.
Transparency: The auction system ensures fair pricing and consistent supply.
Versatility: Buyers can cover both CTC and orthodox needs from a single origin.
Sustainability: Kenyan producers are increasingly adopting eco-friendly practices and certifications, aligning with consumer demand for responsible sourcing.

This makes Kenya a practical and competitive origin for tea sourcing in Taiwan’s growing bubble tea industry.

How We Support Taiwan Bubble Tea Importers

We have already exported to Taiwan wholesalers and distributors serving the bubble tea industry, so we understand what the market expects: strong teas, dependable shipping, and clear grading.

With ISO and HACCP certification, every shipment meets international food safety standards. We’re also familiar with Taiwan’s strict quality checks and documentation requirements, ensuring a smooth clearance process.

Whether you need full-container volumes for franchise chains or trial samples for new blends, we can supply directly to Taiwan with flexible logistics.

If you’re looking for a reliable Kenyan tea partner for Taiwan’s bubble tea sector, we’re ready to provide samples, share pricing, and support your sourcing plans.

To request samples or discuss your next shipment.