Kenya has set its sights on expanding tea exports to China more than fourfold by 2030, seeking to scale shipments from the current 12.42 million kilogrammes to 50 million kilogrammes within six years.
The announcement was made by Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe on Monday, following talks in Nairobi with Zhang Chaobin, the chairman of Fuzhou Benny Tea Industry Company Limited.
Kagwe noted that the bilateral meeting was part of wider efforts to deepen Kenya’s presence in the Chinese tea market and enhance the export of locally grown orthodox and specialty teas.
“This high-level engagement underlines Kenya’s strategic push to boost exports of orthodox and speciality teas,” said Kagwe in a statement.
The renewed focus comes amid growing Chinese demand for premium teas and follows a productive visit by Zhang, who is in Kenya from May 11 to 18.
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His tour builds upon previously signed agreements with the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) and several tea factories, including Mungania, Gatanga, and Emrok/Sangalo.
These deals are expected to strengthen the processing of orthodox teas through increased production, modernised machinery, and improved technical expertise.
According to Kagwe, these partnerships are essential for Kenya’s tea sector as the country shifts focus from bulk exports to value-added, high-grade tea varieties targeted at emerging markets such as China.
Kenya exported 12.2 million kilogrammes of tea to China in 2024 alone, indicating growing appetite in Asia’s second-largest economy.
Zhang’s engagements with local stakeholders are also seen as instrumental in improving tea quality and boosting export volumes over time.
The Agriculture Ministry is banking on this high-level collaboration to tap into China's vast consumer base and secure a long-term trading partnership that could significantly elevate Kenya’s tea industry.
