Kenya Strengthens Orthodox Tea Export Promotion in the European Market
Kenya is leveraging the expansion of its high-quality orthodox tea value chain to meet the growing European demand for specialty and sustainably produced beverages.
In a bid to deepen trade ties between Kenya and Germany, the Kenya Embassy in Berlin, facilitated an engagement that brought a 23 German delegates from the German Tea and Herbal Infusion Association to Kenya for farm and factory visits across key tea-growing regions.
Speaking on behalf of the Principal Secretary for Trade, Regina Ombam, Assistant Director for Trade Peter Chege, emphasized that strengthening tea exports to Germany remains a key priority as Kenya seeks to diversify its export markets and build resilient, long-term trade partnerships.
Chege noted that Kenya is among the world’s leading tea producers and exporters, globally recognized for its consistency of supply, superior quality, and strong sustainability credentials.
He added that the engagement was intentionally designed to move beyond brochures and trade fairs, offering German buyers direct, first-hand exposure to Kenya’s tea ecosystem — from smallholder farms and modern processing factories to exporters, traders, and logistics platforms.
At the close of the six-day visit, Frank Schübel, Chairman of the German Tea and Herbal Infusion Association, praised Kenya’s passion for quality and the diversity of its tea offerings. He noted that the delegation leaves Kenya with a strong impression of a bright future for the Kenya–Germany tea industry partnership.
“The Kenya tea has exceeded our expectations Moreso with no use of chemicals and pesticides,”said Schübel.
The tea factories were Gatura Greens, Kiriti and Kiru tea factories in Murang’a County, Sangalo Tea Factory in Nandi County and Chelal Tea Factory in Kericho County.
The week-long familiarization tour concluded with a stakeholder engagement meeting at the East African Tea Trade Association (EATTA) in Mombasa, bringing together tea producers, buyers, brokers, and packers.
Chege reaffirmed the State Department for Trade’s full commitment to supporting the process, noting that the government will continue to work closely with the Kenya Embassy in Berlin, the German Tea and Herbal Infusion Association, and industry stakeholders to ensure the engagement translates into tangible commercial outcomes as Kenya’s orthodox tea sector continues to gain momentum in Europe, driven by strict adherence to international quality standards and alignment with evolving European market preferences.