In 2024, Kenyan tea made a significant leap in the Russian market, securing the second spot in terms of tea imports, surpassing Sri Lanka.
This notable shift was reported by TASS, citing data from Rosselkhozbank.
According to the report, India remains the dominant tea supplier to Russia, accounting for approximately 30% of the imports.
However, the competition for second place has intensified.
Over the past year, Kenya has made a strong breakthrough, pushing Sri Lanka to third place.
The demand for black tea continues to dominate the Russian market, making up 90 percent of the total tea imports.
The import of black tea saw a four percent increase over the year. Green tea, while less popular, also experienced a growth in demand, with a five percent increase in imports.
“The demand for this favorite warming drink is high, and it is being met by imports from friendly countries with centuries-old tea traditions,” said Ekaterina Vinokurova, an expert at the Center for Industry Expertise of Rosselkhozbank. She also highlighted the growing interest in domestic tea production.
On the marketplace “Your native,” the number of tea suppliers increased by 65 percent over the year, exceeding 300 suppliers.
These suppliers offer more than 4,250 varieties of black, green, fruit, herbal, and other teas, showcasing the diverse tea preferences in Russia.
For Kenyan tea growers, this surge in popularity presents a promising opportunity.
The strong demand for black tea, coupled with Kenya’s ability to produce high-quality tea, positions Kenyan tea growers to expand their market share further.
By leveraging this momentum, Kenyan tea producers can strengthen their presence in the Russian market and explore new avenues for growth.
As Russian farmers continue to master tea cultivation, the country is developing a rich palette of tea tastes, ensuring that the demand for this beloved beverage is well satisfied. This growing market offers Kenyan tea growers a unique chance to establish long-term trade relationships and contribute to the global tea industry.
Looking Ahead to 2025
Experts predict that the trend of increasing Kenyan tea imports to Russia will continue into 2025.
With the growing preference for high-quality black tea and the expanding variety of tea offerings, Kenyan tea is well-positioned to further solidify its place in the Russian market.
The continued collaboration between Kenyan tea growers and Russian importers is expected to drive even higher demand, potentially leading to Kenya challenging India’s dominant position in the future.
This positive outlook provides Kenyan tea growers with a unique opportunity to capitalize on the expanding market, ensuring sustained growth and success in the years to come.
At the same time, Kenya Deputy President Prof Kithuke Kindiki has said the government is supporting tea production through providing subsidised fertiliser, establishment of common user facilities for value addition and exploring new markets.
He added that these measures, favourable weather and a stronger currency- the shilling has led to an increase of tea production from 445 million kgs in 2022 to 558 million kilos in 2023 and to 600 million kilos in 2024.
He spoke during a meeting with stakeholders on tea reforms and input on proposed approaches to opening new export markets for Kenyan tea.
In the meetings, the DP was briefed that export earnings rose from 138 billion shillings in 2022 to 181 billion shillings in 2023 and to 211 billion shillings in 2024.
