Kenya’s tea exports to Sudan slumped by over a third, month-on-month, amid a deepening diplomatic fallout between Nairobi and Khartoum.
- •According to data from the Tea Board of Kenya (TBK), tea shipments to Sudan plunged from 2.17 million kilograms in February to 1.41 million kilograms in March.
- •The decline follows Sudan’s sweeping suspension of all Kenyan imports, a retaliatory move over what is seen as Kenya’s support for the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan’s ongoing civil conflict.
- •The abrupt drop saw Sudan descend from Kenya’s top tea markets with Khartoum being displaced by RSF ally, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), among the top five.
The trade freeze has tangible consequences for Kenya’s exports as March saw the country’s total tea exports fall to 47.17 million kilograms, down 13% from the 54.33 million kilograms recorded in the same month in 2024.
While major markets such as Pakistan (17.4 million Kgs) and Egypt (5.85 million Kgs) remained stable, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) moved into the top five Kenyan tea importers for the first time with 2.61 million kilograms, displacing Sudan.
The fallout between Kenya and Sudan stems from a meeting in Nairobi that brought together Sudan’s RSF and allied political groups on 23rd February. The delegation, which included SPLM-North leader Abdelaziz al-Hilu and factions of the Revolutionary Front, signed a political charter and transitional constitution, steps viewed by Khartoum as an affront to Sudan’s sovereignty and an attempt to legitimize rival authority in RSF-held territories.
In swift response, Sudan’s Ministry of Trade and Supply blocked all imports from Kenya through all official entry points in mid-March. The announcement came just days after Khartoum recalled its ambassador from Nairobi, accusing Kenya of hosting and facilitating anti-government elements.
Tea is the backbone of Kenya’s export economy and Sudan has historically played an important role in absorbing volumes that might otherwise face barriers in traditional markets like Yemen and Iran. In 2024, Sudan imported over 10.7 million kilograms of Kenyan tea.
