Kenyan tea industry urges government to engage Sudan over import ban 

KENYA – Kenyan tea stakeholders have called on the government to initiate discussions with Sudanese authorities to allow a grace period of at least one month for buyers to clear tea shipments already dispatched to Sudan.  

The appeal follows Sudan’s Ministry of Trade and Supply’s decision on March 11, 2025, to indefinitely suspend the importation of Kenyan products through all its ports of entry. 

East Africa Tea Trade Association (EATTA) Managing Director George Omuga highlighted the urgency of the situation, noting that several containers of tea destined for Sudan are currently in transit, while significant stocks purchased for the Sudanese market remain in warehouses in Mombasa. 

“We have buyers with running contracts and teas lying at Port Sudan. Several containers already dispatched are on the high seas, and there are huge stocks in Mombasa warehouses that were bought specifically for Sudan,” Omuga stated during a meeting with industry stakeholders at EATTA’s offices in Mombasa. 

Omuga further explained that some of the affected teas have already been packaged and branded for the Sudanese market, making redirection to alternative buyers challenging.  

He warned that the import ban would have severe economic consequences, as over 80% of tea exports from the region pass through the Port of Mombasa. 

“This will result in unfathomable losses for buyers, which will trickle down to producers and farmers,” he said. “Kenyan tea exporters targeting Sudan will face severe cash flow challenges, and the tea already bought and shipped will not be paid for because it cannot be cleared at Port Sudan.” 

Sudan is among Kenya’s top five tea export destinations, with a preference for specific grades that may not be easily diverted to other markets.  

Omuga disclosed that over 2,007 containers of tea remain at the Port of Mombasa awaiting shipment to Sudan, compounding the existing market glut at the Mombasa tea auction. 

Agriculture CS warns against hawking 

In a related development, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe recently issued a stern warning to tea producers, cautioning them against engaging in tea hawking at the Tea Trade Center.  

He stressed that those found in violation risk deregistration by the Tea Board of Kenya. 

Kagwe reaffirmed the government’s commitment to maintaining high tea quality standards, urging producers to adhere to Kenya’s minimum green leaf quality requirements.  

He further announced that the Ministry would soon publish official guidelines to ensure compliance with quality enhancement strategies aimed at boosting the competitiveness of Kenyan tea in global markets. 

The ongoing crisis poses a significant challenge to Kenya’s tea sector, with stakeholders urging swift government intervention to mitigate losses and safeguard the industry’s economic stability. 

Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.