Kenya’s tea exports to several traditional markets weakened sharply in 2026, with Iran recording the most dramatic May collapse.
Shipments to Iran plunged 98% to just 0.025Mn kg from 1.172Mn kg a year earlier, as the Tea Board said Middle East and Persian Gulf trade was hit by shipping disruptions along the Strait of Hormuz.
Reuters also reported that vessel traffic through the strategic waterway fell sharply during the conflict, while freight and security costs increased.
Kenya’s tea export figures
Over Jan–May, Kenya’s tea exports to Oman fell 59% to 3.41Mn kg, while Afghanistan dropped 68% to 0.37Mn kg and Kazakhstan declined 23% to 3.57Mn kg. Sudan also fell 59% to 2.89Mn kg.
The Tea Board specifically links the May Middle East weakness to shipping disruption, but does not attribute the declines in Afghanistan, Kazakhstan or Sudan to a single cause.
Available data shows that the Middle East accounts for 20-25% of Kenya tea exports market and moves to 65% if Pakistan is added- countries that use the Gulf transhipment.
The Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb closed down after the US-Israel-Iran escalation in March 2026, forcing ships to cancel Mombasa calls. The Salalah Port in Oman, where tea is consolidated for Iran, Egypt, Pakistan and UK-was attacked on March 11th 2026 and a fuel tank hit.
The result has been 6-8 million kilograms of tea stuck in Mombasa warehouses, port worth an estimated US$ 23million. EATTA says that 2.3 million kilograms per week is not moving.
Kenya’s Tea Board warns that the tea market has collapsed with shipments unable to reach Oman, Sudan, Afghanistan and Kazakhstan. While Kenya’s tea to Pakistan is now shipped via Cape of Good Hope in South Africa, the 46 plus transit days, freight and insurance charges, have made the route costly.
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