Kenya’s Tea Exports to China Surge as Bilateral Trade Deepens

Kenya’s tea exports to China grew by 60% in 2023, reaching Ksh8.2 billion, as Beijing lifts phytosanitary barriers and promotes Kenyan black tea in premium markets. The Tea Board of Kenya reports that direct shipments now bypass Middle Eastern re-exports, improving farmer payouts. Over 20 Kenyan brands are registered with Chinese customs, and e-commerce sales via Alibaba’s Tmall platform are rising. The Kenya-China Tea Promotion Council, launched in Nairobi in Q1 2024, will host tasting events in Shanghai and Guangzhou. With China’s middle class expanding, Kenya aims to double tea exports to the world’s largest tea-consuming nation by 2026.