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Kenya, World’s Third-largest Tea Producer

Kenya’s identity is steeped — quite literally — in tea. Although many people associate the country with rich, aromatic coffee, tea is Kenya’s largest export crop, contributing billions to the economy every year.

The British introduced tea to Kenya in the early 1900s, and the country’s high-altitude climate turned out to be perfect for cultivation. Today, Kenya ranks as the world’s third-largest tea producer (after China and India) and the leading exporter of black tea. According to the Tea Board of Kenya, annual production exceeds 450,000 metric tonnes, compared to around 50,000 tonnes of coffee.

The best-known tea-growing regions — Kericho, Nandi, Bomet, and Nyamira — are famous for their rolling green landscapes and world-class plantations owned by both smallholder farmers and global brands.

Coffee, on the other hand, remains a premium niche crop. Kenyan coffee from regions like Nyeri, Kiambu, and Kirinyaga is prized for its fruity aroma and acidity, fetching high prices in specialty markets — but production volumes have declined over the decades due to land pressure and lower profitability compared to tea.

So next time you sip your morning beverage, remember: Kenya might be the land of great coffee, but it’s tea that keeps the economy brewing. 🍵

(References: Tea Board of Kenya; FAO; Kenya National Bureau of Statistics; Reuters Africa)

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