Kenya’s Half-Year Exports Hit KES. 369 billion as Tea Leads Category

During the first half of the financial year 2021, Kenya’s exports to key markets across the globe rose to 369 billion shillings, approximately 3.4 billion US dollars, according to data released by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) on Thursday.

The report showed that the largest export category was tea which generated 625 million dollars in the first six months of 2021 despite the fluctuation in prices.

Kenya exported 50.76 million kilograms of tea in May, a marginal rise from 49.45 million in April, boosted by favorable weather in production areas.

Data from the Tea Board of Kenya (TBK) stated that the exports were shipped to 51 destinations in May, up from 48 in April.

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During the month, tea production rose to 45.32 million kilograms, up from 44.29 million, with the board attributing the marginal increase to good rainfall conditions in growing areas in the first half of the month.

Pakistan remained the top importer of Kenyan tea during the month, buying 20.2 million kilograms of tea exported by the country.

The bulk of the exported tea was purchased by Egypt, Pakistan, Britain, Russia, and the United Arab Emirates.

On the other hand, during the first half of 2021, horticulture exports generated 624 million dollars with the key destinations being the European Union, Britain, Russia, and Japan.

Kenya’s manufactured goods earned 236 million dollars in the first six months of the 2021 financial year. The major destinations for Kenya’s industrial products were the East and Southern African regions.

Another significant export commodity was coffee whose export figures clocked 149 million dollars. The rest of the exports consisted of chemical products and re-exports.