By Ken Muthomi - Reporter
Kenya, April 17, 2026 — The Kenya Tea Development Agency Holdings (KTDA) has cautioned tea farmers across the country to brace for losses this year amid disruptions linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
In a statement on Thursday, KTDA chairman Enos Njeru said tea worth over Ksh3 billion remains stuck in warehouses due to a lack of shipping capacity.
“This conflict has disrupted key export routes, leading to shipping delays and increased freight and insurance costs,” Njeru said.
“Currently, we are holding tea worth over 3 billion shillings (about 23.3 million U.S. dollars) in our warehouses due to a lack of shipping capacity, and we fear things could get worse in the coming days.”
The agency further warned that rising global fuel prices are increasing the cost of key farming inputs, including fertilizers, adding pressure on producers.
Over the decades, tea has remained one of Kenya’s leading agricultural exports and often the top overall export product. In 2024, the sector generated approximately $1.4 billion (Ksh181 billion).
As the world’s largest exporter of black tea, Kenya accounts for between 23 percent and 37 percent of global export value, with key markets including Pakistan, Egypt, and the United Kingdom.
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KTDA is now calling on the government to consider lowering taxes on tea to cushion farmers from mounting economic pressure.
Njeru also urged factory boards and management teams to implement austerity measures to reduce operational costs and manage the impact of rising fuel prices.
Since late February, the Israel-U.S conflict involving Iran has disrupted key global shipping routes, contributing to delays and higher logistics costs.
In addition, KTDA Board Vice Chairman Samson Mosonik emphasized that labour remains the highest cost in tea production and must be efficiently managed to improve productivity and protect farmers’ earnings.