Red Sea attacks disrupt Kenyan tea exports
Kenya’s tea exports face disruptions due to rising attacks on ships along the Red Sea, forcing longer and costlier shipping routes.
KENYA – Kenya’s tea exports have been disrupted by escalating attacks on ships along the Red Sea, leading to logistical challenges in reaching key markets in Europe and North Africa, the Tea Board of Kenya (TBK) has reported.
According to the TBK, the attacks have forced several shipping lines to suspend operations through the Red Sea and instead use the longer and more expensive route around the southern tip of Africa.
“Attacks on vessels along the Red Sea shipping route has prompted several shipping lines to suspend their operations through the route and revert to using the southern tip of Africa, an alternative trans-shipment route, whose shipment duration is much longer and costs more from the Port of Mombasa,” the TBK said.
Kenya’s tea exports in 2024 totaled 181.6 billion shillings (approximately US$1.4 billion), reflecting a marginal increase from US$1.39 billion in 2023.
However, the TBK attributed the slow growth in exports partly to disruptions in shipping routes and conflicts in some major consumer markets, including Sudan.
Sudan recently suspended all imports from Kenya following diplomatic tensions between the two countries. The decision came after Kenya hosted discussions on February 23 involving Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and other political groups.
These talks led to the signing of a political charter and a transitional constitution, which sparked widespread opposition from the Sudanese government. In response, Sudan recalled its ambassador from Nairobi before banning Kenyan products, primarily tea.
The decline in Kenyan tea exports has been notable in key markets such as Pakistan, Sudan, Egypt, Britain, and Yemen.
To mitigate these setbacks, the TBK is intensifying efforts to consolidate and expand trade relations by engaging in trade missions to alternative markets, including the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Turkey, Ghana, Germany, and China.
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