Kenya Strengthens Tea Export Ties with China
Kenya is planning to raise its tea exports to China from 12.42 million kilograms in 2024 to 50 million kilograms in 2030.
President Ruto meets with Fuzhou Benny Tea Industries to boost Kenya's tea exports to China. Photo/William Ruto.
By Robert Assad
President William Ruto has intensified efforts to expand Kenya’s tea exports to China by engaging in talks with Fuzhou Benny Tea Industries, one of China’s largest tea companies.
During a meeting at State House Nairobi on May 13, 2025, President Ruto and Benny Tea Chairman Zhang Chaobin discussed how to increase the presence of Kenyan orthodox and specialty teas in China.
Benny Tea Industries, one of the top three tea companies in China, showed interest in supplying its yearly orthodox tea needs from Kenya.
Chairman Zhang undertook to invest in the establishment of new modern orthodox tea factories in chosen tea-producing counties in Kenya with the objective of adding value and making Kenyan tea more competitive in world markets.
The forum brought together stakeholders in the tea industry in Kenya, including the Ministry of Agriculture, Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA), and Kenya Tea Board.
Kenya is planning to raise its tea exports to China from 12.42 million kilograms in 2024 to 50 million kilograms in 2030.
President Ruto highlighted the government’s focus on increasing agricultural productivity, quality markets, and farmers’ incomes. He noted that there was an increase in production and prices for major commodities such as maize, tea, coffee, and sugar.
The project also aligns with Kenya’s overall strategy of enhancing bilateral trade relations with China by promoting priority exports like tea, coffee, avocado, and macadamia.
The summit comes after President Ruto’s recent state visit to China, where several agreements worth Ksh100.1 billion ($773 million) were signed, including collaborations with Chinese firms to facilitate different industries in Kenya.
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