The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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Kenyan tea farmers are warning of a difficult year ahead as escalating conflict in the Middle East disrupts major shipping routes, causing delays in exports and putting billions in earnings at risk.
According to Enos Njeru, chairman of the Kenya Tea Development Agency Holdings, the sector is coming under growing pressure due to the instability, which has affected global trade corridors.
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He said the disruption has led to shipment delays, higher freight charges, and increased insurance costs, adding strain to an already sensitive export industry.
Njeru also noted that rising fuel prices in Kenya are expected to push up the cost of agricultural inputs such as fertilizer, since most are petroleum-based, while global shipping costs remain elevated.
He revealed that tea worth over Sh3 billion is currently stuck in warehouses due to limited shipping capacity, warning that the situation could worsen if the crisis continues.
To cushion farmers, he called for policy interventions such as tax reductions on tea, saying the crop is still heavily taxed despite being a key foreign exchange earner.
President William Ruto had earlier stated that while fertilizer supply chains remain stable, key exports like tea could still face market disruptions due to the conflict.
Tea remains one of Kenya’s top export earners, generating hundreds of billions of shillings annually, with the sector playing a major role in supporting rural livelihoods.
