NAIROBI, March 16 (NNN-KBC) — Stakeholders in Kenya’s tea industry are urging the government to engage with Sudanese authorities to secure a one-month window for clearing teas already dispatched to Sudan.
This appeal comes in response to Sudan’s indefinite suspension of Kenyan imports, announced by the country’s Ministry of Trade and Supply on March 11.
East Africa Tea Trade Association (EATTA) Managing Director George Omuga revealed that large volumes of tea destined for Sudan are either stranded at sea or stockpiled in warehouses, leaving exporters and smallholder farmers facing significant losses.
“We have buyers with running contracts whose teas are stuck at Port Sudan. Several containers are still in transit, while huge stocks meant for Sudan remain in Mombasa warehouses,” Omuga stated during a stakeholder meeting at EATTA offices in Mombasa.
He added that much of this tea has already been packaged and branded specifically for the Sudanese market, making it difficult to redirect to alternative buyers.
With over 80 per cent of tea from the region exported through the Port of Mombasa, the trade suspension is expected to have severe economic ramifications.
“This will result in immense losses for buyers, which will inevitably affect producers and smallholder farmers,” Omuga warned.
Kenyan tea exporters catering to Sudan will face cash flow challenges, as shipments already sent may go unpaid if they are unable to clear customs at Port Sudan. Moreover, Sudan primarily purchases specific tea grades that are not easily redirected to other markets.
Omuga disclosed that over 2,000 containers of tea remain stranded at the Port of Mombasa, awaiting shipment to Sudan.
“The situation will significantly impact tea prices and auction sales, exacerbating an already existing market glut at the Mombasa tea auction. Losing Sudan as a top-five export market would deal a major blow to Kenya’s tea industry,” he cautioned.
Tea industry players are now calling on the government to step in urgently and engage Sudanese authorities to safeguard the livelihoods of thousands of farmers and traders who depend on tea exports. — NNN-KBC
