Kenyan tea farmers earned roughly KES 55 billion (about US$424 million) from exports during the first six months of 2026, reaffirming the country's dominant position at the Mombasa Tea Auction. Kenya offered around 186.2 million kilograms of tea at auction, far ahead of its regional neighbors — Uganda (22.6 million kg), Rwanda (13.3 million kg), and Tanzania (over 300,000 kg).
Kenyan tea averaged US$2.28 per kilogram, while Rwanda's premium tea fetched a higher price of US$2.98 per kilogram despite much smaller volumes. A newly introduced 0.8% export levy, in effect since May 1, 2026, has sparked industry debate over rising operating costs.
Mombasa remains the world's largest auction hub for CTC (black, granulated) tea, cementing Kenya's role as the leading supplier to East and Central African markets.
Source: Food Business Africa