Tea Remains Top Export Earner for Kenya

Tea remained the top earner at 32.6 billion shillings despite having undergone a 10.1 percent decline as a result of lower international prices in 2018.

This is according to the 2018 Quarterly Balance of Payments (QBOP) which ranked horticulture in the second position at 31 billion shillings during the July-September 2018 period.

Black tea sold for 264.09 shillings a kilogram compared to 2017’s 318.84 shillings, solely blamed on higher production with the country producing an extra 12.3 percent in the third quarter to 115,200 tonnes from 102,600 tonnes during the comparable 2017 period.

Horticulture recorded a 15.7 percent rise to 31 billion shillings from 26.8 billion shillings.

The report noted a sharp rise in fruit exports by 67 percent overshadowed the decline in flowers and vegetable exports.

The report by Kenya National Bureau of Statistics showed coffee exports rose 8.5 percent to 10,200 tonnes that raked in 5.1 billion shillings from 9,400 tonnes in 2017 worth 8.3 billion shillings.

Milk deliveries to processors rose by 4.6 percent to stand at 160.4 million liters up from 153.3 million liters reported during the third quarter of 2017, mainly supported by sufficient rains that ensured an adequate supply of pastures.

Under its ambitious Integrated National Exports Development and Promotion Strategy, Kenya targets to grow exports by 25 percent yearly to 1.8 trillion shillings in 2022.