🇦🇪 Kenya → United Arab Emirates

Kenyan Tea Exporter to United Arab Emirates

Supplying United Arab Emirates importers with Kenyan tea — quoted FOB Mombasa, CFR, CIF or DAP to Jebel Ali, Dubai or Dubai Intl.

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Tea fields in Limuru, Kenya under a cloudy sky

Kenyan tea for the United Arab Emirates market

Dubai's packers and re-exporters buy all main CTC grades for the Gulf, Iran and Central Asia; short 8–14 day transit makes Jebel Ali ideal for frequent smaller lots.

We supply Kenyan tea sourced from the Mombasa Tea Auction (run by the East African Tea Trade Association) and by direct sale from factories in the KTDA smallholder network and private estates. Kenyan tea is grown between 1,500 m and 2,700 m above sea level, close to the equator, which allows plucking almost all year round and gives consistently bright, coloury liquors.

Buyers we serve in United Arab Emirates: Tea importers, wholesalers, blenders, packers, supermarkets and private-label brands.

Import requirements & trade terms for United Arab Emirates

The UAE is both a consumer market and a re-export hub for the Gulf, Iran, Central Asia and Russia. Food consignments are registered on the Dubai Municipality ZAD/FIRS system; Arabic labelling and halal certification apply to retail-packed processed foods. A Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between Kenya and the UAE was signed in 2025.

Documents we provide

Commercial invoice & packing list
Bill of Lading
Certificate of Origin (KNCCI / EAC / COMESA)
Phytosanitary certificate (KEPHIS)
AFA Tea Directorate export permit
Quality & lab analysis on request (moisture, MRLs, heavy metals)

HS codes: 0902.40 (black tea, packs > 3 kg) · 0902.30 (black tea, packs ≤ 3 kg) · 0902.10/0902.20 (green tea)

Varieties available for United Arab Emirates

CTC Black Tea — BP1 (Broken Pekoe 1)

Large, uniform black granules; bright, brisk liquor. Preferred for loose-leaf retail packs and premium blends.

Manufacture: CTC (Crush-Tear-Curl), fully oxidised
Appearance: black, granular, even, well-twisted particles
Particle size: approx. 1.0–1.4 mm (retained on 14 mesh)
Infused leaf: bright coppery
Liquor: bright, brisk, coloury, medium-full body

Sample: $4.20/kg (indicative) Full specs →

CTC Black Tea — PF1 (Pekoe Fannings 1)

The workhorse grade for tea bags and blends — strong, coloury and quick-brewing.

Manufacture: CTC, fully oxidised
Appearance: black, small even granules
Particle size: approx. 0.6–1.0 mm (18–24 mesh)
Infused leaf: bright coppery-red
Liquor: strong, quick-brewing, red-bright, brisk

Sample: $4.00/kg (indicative) Full specs →

CTC Black Tea — PD (Pekoe Dust)

Fine dust grade for tea bags and quick-brew applications; high colour and thickness.

Manufacture: CTC, fully oxidised
Appearance: fine, black, grainy dust
Particle size: approx. 0.4–0.6 mm (24–30 mesh)
Liquor: thick, dark, strong, coloury
Moisture: ≤ 6%

Sample: $3.80/kg (indicative) Full specs →

CTC Black Tea — D1 (Dust 1)

Fine dust widely used in South Asian and Middle Eastern markets for milk tea and local packers.

Manufacture: CTC, fully oxidised
Appearance: fine, clean, black grainy dust
Particle size: approx. 0.25–0.45 mm (30–40 mesh)
Liquor: very strong, dark, thick; excellent with milk
Moisture: ≤ 6.5%

Sample: $3.60/kg (indicative) Full specs →

Secondary grades — BP, PF, PF2, D, FNGS, BMF

Value grades for economy blends, instant tea, extract manufacture and price-sensitive markets.

Manufacture: CTC sorting by-grades
Grades: BP, PF, PF2, D, D2, FNGS, BMF
Appearance: mixed size; some fibre and flake
Liquor: plainer, lighter than primary grades
Moisture: ≤ 7%

Sample: $2.90/kg (indicative) Full specs →

Orthodox Black Tea (whole leaf / broken leaf)

Rolled, oxidised whole-leaf and broken-leaf grades (FOP, OP, BOP, BOPF) for specialty and loose-leaf brands.

Manufacture: orthodox (withered, rolled, oxidised, dried)
Grades: FOP, OP, OP1, BOP, BOPF, FBOP, GFOP (tippy)
Appearance: wiry or twisted black leaf, some golden tips
Liquor: bright amber, aromatic, smooth
Flavour notes: malty, floral, muscatel (high-grown)

Sample: $6.50/kg (indicative) Full specs →

Green Tea

Steamed or pan-fired unoxidised tea from Kenyan clones; grassy, sweet cup.

Manufacture: steamed (sencha style) or pan-fired; CTC green available
Appearance: green-olive leaf or granules
Liquor: pale yellow-green, fresh, grassy
Moisture: ≤ 6%
Total polyphenols: approx. 15–25%

Sample: $8.00/kg (indicative) Full specs →

Purple Tea (TRFK 306)

Kenya-developed purple-leaf cultivar, high in anthocyanins and antioxidants; sold as orthodox and CTC.

Cultivar: TRFK 306/1 (Kenya)
Forms: orthodox leaf, CTC, green-style, extract
Leaf colour: purple to dark green-purple
Anthocyanins: high (cultivar-specific)
Liquor: light, smooth, slightly woody; purple hue with lemon

Sample: $15.00/kg (indicative) Full specs →

White Tea / Silver Tips

Hand-plucked buds, minimally processed. Small volumes for luxury and specialty brands.

Manufacture: hand-plucked buds, withered and dried
Appearance: silvery-white downy buds
Liquor: very pale gold, delicate, sweet
Flavour notes: honey, melon, floral
Moisture: ≤ 6%

Sample: $41.00/kg (indicative) Full specs →

Where it is grown / produced

Growing / production area	Altitude	Notes
Kericho & Bomet (West of Rift)	1,800–2,500 m	Kenya's tea heartland; large estates and smallholders, high-rainfall plucking year round.
Nandi Hills	1,800–2,100 m	Bright, brisk teas from estates and KTDA factories.
Kisii & Nyamira	1,700–2,200 m	Smallholder teas with strong colour.
Nyeri, Murang'a & Kirinyaga (Aberdares/Mt Kenya)	1,700–2,300 m	East-of-Rift teas, often brighter and more flavoury.
Embu, Meru & Tharaka-Nithi (Mt Kenya East)	1,600–2,200 m	Highly regarded for bright, brisk liquors.
Kiambu & Limuru	2,000–2,300 m	Historic estates close to Nairobi.

Season

Year-round production; peak flush typically March–June and October–December. The Mombasa auction runs weekly.

Minimum order

Trial: 1 pallet (~1 MT). Commercial: 1 × 20ft FCL (approx. 18–21 MT depending on grade).

Packaging

Multiwall kraft paper sacks with poly/foil liner, 50–70 kg net
Bulk sacks palletised and stretch-wrapped on request
Private-label retail packs (tea bags, 250 g – 1 kg loose) on request

FAQ — Tea from Kenya to United Arab Emirates

How long does shipping from Kenya to United Arab Emirates take?

Indicative transit is 8–14 days by sea/road from Mombasa and 5–6 hours by air from Nairobi JKIA to United Arab Emirates, depending on routing and carrier.

Which port or airport in United Arab Emirates can you deliver to?

We quote CFR/CIF or CPT/CIP to Jebel Ali, Dubai (AEJEA), Khalifa Port, Abu Dhabi (AEKHL), Sharjah (AESHJ), Dubai Intl (DXB), Dubai World Central (DWC), Abu Dhabi (AUH) and other ports or airports on request.

Can I get a sample of Kenyan tea shipped to United Arab Emirates?

Yes. Use our quote form and select "Sample request". Sample cost is the indicative international price plus USD 1 per kg; we email an invoice with payment details and courier cost.

Buyer guides

Guides for importers

Product Buying Guides

Buy Kenyan Tea Wholesale: CTC Grades, FOB Prices & How to Import in Bulk

A practical guide for tea importers, blenders and packers: which Kenyan CTC grade to buy, how pricing works, minimum orders, packing and how to ship to your port.

Read guide →

Export Market Guides

Import from Kenya to the UAE: Avocados, Tea, Vegetables & Gemstones Supplier for Dubai

Short transit, re-export opportunities and the Kenyan products Gulf buyers order most.

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Ready to import from Kenya?

Tell us the product, variety, quantity, Incoterm (FOB / CIF / CFR / DAP) and your destination port or airport. We reply with a formal quotation, usually within one business day.

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