Kenya’s tea exports fell by 14,000 tons in the first eight months of 2020, attributed to a decrease in the demand for the produce in the world market.
According to data from the Tea Directorate, export volumes for tea for the period dropped from 337,000 tons in 2019 to 323,000 tons in 2020. This was a result of a 7% drop in exports to Pakistan and a 14% drop in exports to Egypt. Pakistan remains Kenya’s largest market, shipping about 36% of the total production.
Despite the fall in export volumes, the volume of tea produced in the eight months grew by 33% to stand at 375,000 tons against 281,000 tons in the same period in 2019.
Furthermore, earnings from the black tea exports increased by 22% in H1 2020 to hit KSh68.9 billion compared to KSh56.5 billion for the same period in 2019. The huge increase in tea exports earning is attributed to increased output of tea in the first six months of 2020, which jumped by 41% compared to last year’s output.
Kenya is the world’s leading producer and exporter of black tea. Tea export earnings contribute a significant portion of the country’s foreign income.
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