Tea sales suffering a significant drop in value

In the first half of 2025, the Mombasa Tea Auction experienced a significant drop in tea volumes traded, with a decrease of 32.5 million kilos compared to the same period in 2024. According to a report by Tea Brokers East African Limited (TBEAL), the seven countries that participated in the auction offered 247.5 million kilos for sale, a decrease from 279 million kilos offered in 2024.

Kenya, one of the major players in the East African tea trade, saw a decrease in its tea volumes sold. Kenyan tea producers exported 274.6 million kilos of tea to 53 international markets, but only 203.3 million kilos were sold to 78 buyers out of the 80 who participated in the auction during the same period.

Among the lead buyers, Global Tea was the biggest purchaser, buying a total of 31.7 million kilos of tea. Kenya accounted for 27.1 million kilos of this total, with the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) being one of the significant contributors through its subsidiary, Chai Trading, which bought 26.8 million kilos of tea leaves offered at the sale.

Other key buyers included Egypt with 37.2 million kgs, the United Kingdom with 20.7 million kgs, and the UAE with 13.3 million kgs. However, it's worth noting that the report does not provide information about the tea volumes sold by other countries participating in the auction.

Rwanda and Tanzania also participated in the auction, with Rwanda selling 15.8 million kilos of tea and Tanzania selling 2.7 million kilos. Malawi and Burundi, though smaller players, still managed to sell 736,752 kilos and 875,944 kilos of tea, respectively.

The exact reasons for the decrease in tea volumes traded at the Mombasa Tea Auction between January and June 2025 are not specified in the article. The East African Tea Trade Association (EATTA) Managing Director, George Omuga, stated that the auction received less volume of tea in 2025 compared to 2024.

It's unclear whether the tea volumes are expected to increase in the second half of 2025. The buyers who made the fewest purchases were Grove Unique (2,400 kg), Amastrar Company (3,900 kg), Agape (4,600 kg) and Blu Kik (4,800 kg).

Pakistan led in imports with 97.3 million kgs of Kenyan tea, followed by other international markets. The report does not provide detailed information about the tea volumes sold by other countries participating in the auction.

In conclusion, the Mombasa Tea Auction in 2025 saw a decrease in tea volumes traded compared to the same period in 2024. Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Malawi, and Burundi were among the countries that participated, with Kenya being the largest exporter. The reasons for the decrease in tea volumes are not clear, and it remains to be seen whether the volumes will increase in the second half of 2025.