The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has displaced Sudan among the top importers of Kenyan tea, marking a significant shift in the country’s tea export landscape.
n February 2025, the UAE imported 4.22 million kilograms of Kenyan tea, surpassing the United Kingdom’s (UK) 4.2 million kilograms. This makes the UAE the third-largest importer of Kenyan tea.
The rise of the UAE as a key market comes after Sudan imposed an indefinite ban on all imports from Kenya in March 2025. The ban followed Kenya’s hosting of leaders from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a Sudanese paramilitary group.
Sudan’s Ministry of Trade and Supply announced the import ban, which has caused over 200 containers of Kenyan tea, valued at approximately Sh1.3 billion, to be stranded at the Port of Mombasa and in transit.
Joseph Kirui, Chairperson of the East Africa Tea Trade Association (EATTA), highlighted the delays the ban had brought sighting loses which is bad for business growth.
“The ban has disrupted our traditional markets. We are urging the government to engage Sudan to allow a grace period for clearing these shipments,” he said.
Kenya’s tea exports have also been affected by reduced demand from other key markets such as Pakistan and Egypt, largely due to economic constraints. Overall, tea exports fell by 26 percent in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year.
To cushion the sector, Kenyan exporters are working to diversify their export destinations and increase value-added tea production.
“The UAE’s growth as a major importer highlights the need for strategic partnerships to sustain our tea industry amid these challenging times,” Kirui added.
