Kenya’s Tea Production Likely to Fall in 2021 on Unfavourable Weather

• Kenya’s tea exports rise marginally in May  to 50.76 million kilograms

The tea sector is bracing for a decline in production besides increased export volumes already witnessed for the five months of the year, according to the Tea Board of Kenya (TBK).

During the period, tea exports in May rose to 50.76 million kilograms from 49.45 million in April.

The total export volume for the five months period of 2021 was 19 per cent higher at 253.51 million Kgs, compared to 212.53 million Kgs recorded during the same period in 2020.

Moreover, tea production rose to 45.32 million kilograms, up from 44.29 million attributed to favourable weather in production areas during the first half of the month.

However, the output for May 2021 was much lower compared to the same period in 2020 which stood at 47 million Kgs.

“With unfavourable weather that has been recorded this year to date coupled with the effect of cold weather conditions expected to continue up to the month of August followed by dry weather up to October, lower production trend to date will continue throughout the rest of the year,” KTB said in its May industry report.

Production within the East of Rift was significantly lower by 2 million Kgs from 17.7 million Kgs recorded the same month of 2020 o 15.7 million Kgs.

In the West of Rift, the output was not affected and recorded a marginal increase of 1 per cent from 29.3 million Kgs to 29.5 million Kgs.

Cumulatively, for the five months of the year, production was significantly lower by 23.69 million kgs to stand at 230.60 million kgs against  254.29 million Kgs recorded during the corresponding period of 2020.

Pakistan remained the top importer of Kenyan tea during the month, buying 20.2 million kilograms of tea exported by the east African nation.

Other key export destinations include Egypt, Russia, and Nigeria.