Kenya targets bigger tea exports to Chinese market

Kenya is seeking to deepen cooperation with China in tea production, technology transfer and market access as it positions itself to expand exports to the world's largest tea-consuming nation, the Tea Board of Kenya says.

Willy Mutai, the organization's CEO, said Kenya is leveraging China's zero-tariff policy and strengthening collaboration with Chinese investors to unlock new opportunities across the tea value chain.

The board is working closely with producers to ensure Kenyan tea, a primary agricultural commodity in the country, meets international quality standards through farmer training, advisory services and market promotion initiatives, Mutai said.

"We cherish the opportunity that Kenyan tea is among the products enjoying zero tariffs in the Chinese market," he said.

"The preferential access presents a major opportunity to diversify export destinations and increase tea sales to China."

Kenya and China are also collaborating on tea standards and production technologies, with several Chinese companies already investing in Kenya's tea processing sector, he added.

Three companies have introduced Chinese tea-processing technologies in Kenya, Mutai said, while a tea factory is already operating with Chinese equipment tailored to produce products preferred by the Chinese market.

He urged more Chinese firms to obtain export licenses and source tea directly from Kenya.

"Kenya is prepared for any investor to export and buy tea. We already have Chinese companies exporting tea from Kenya to China," he said.

In addition, the two countries are exploring an online tea auction platform in the next three months, a move expected to enhance trade efficiency and improve market access for buyers and sellers.

Kenya remains one of the world's leading tea producers and the largest exporter of black Crush, Tear and Curl tea.

While traditional markets such as Pakistan, the United Kingdom, Sudan and Afghanistan continue to dominate exports, the country is increasingly targeting China as a strategic growth market.

The Tea Board of Kenya projects significant growth in value-added tea products, particularly green tea and specialty teas favored by Chinese consumers.

Diversification efforts

Mutai said Kenya aims to produce nearly 200 million kilograms of green and orthodox teas by 2030 as part of efforts to diversify beyond conventional black tea.

Chinese consumers place a premium on quality, food safety and product traceability, areas where Kenyan tea enjoys a competitive advantage, he said.

"Kenyan tea is produced with minimal pesticide use due to favorable climatic conditions and is backed by strong agricultural practices and quality assurance systems," he said.

Beyond trade, the partnership has expanded into research, training and skills development.

Mutai said Kenyan tea producers and researchers regularly undergo training in China, while joint projects between institutions are helping develop new varieties and products.

"We are working together to develop climate-resilient tea cultivars that are high-yielding, drought tolerant and disease resistant," he said.

Kenyan researchers have developed 62 tea cultivars with various attributes through breeding programs that leverage both traditional and molecular techniques, he said.

The cultivars will enable farmers to adapt to varying agroecological zones while reducing vulnerability to climate change, he added.

The Tea Board of Kenya is also collaborating with Chinese partners on tea processing machinery, energy-efficient technologies and product innovation to enhance productivity and value addition.

Guo Haiyan, Chinese ambassador to Kenya, said agriculture remains the foundation of food security, economic development and social stability in Africa.

"As China and Africa continue to deepen cooperation under the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, agricultural modernization has been an essential area for mutually beneficial partnership," she said.

victor@chinadailyafrica.com