Product 01 · Export from Kenya

Kenyan Tea Exporter

Kenya is the world's leading exporter of black tea. Grown on high-altitude volcanic soils on both sides of the Great Rift Valley, Kenyan tea is prized by blenders for its bright colour, brisk strength and fast infusion.

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Tea fields in Limuru, Kenya under a cloudy sky

Overview

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.

Most Kenyan tea is manufactured by the CTC (Crush-Tear-Curl) method, producing granular grades ideal for tea bags, blending and fast-brewing retail packs. We also offer orthodox whole-leaf, green, white and Kenya's distinctive purple tea, which is rich in anthocyanins.

Typical buyers: Tea importers, wholesalers, blenders, packers, supermarkets and private-label brands.

Types, varieties, grades & specifications

9 types available. Specifications are typical; exact parameters are confirmed per lot on the quotation and certificate of analysis.

Type 1 of 9

CTC Black Tea — BP1 (Broken Pekoe 1)

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

BP1 is the largest and most uniform of Kenya's primary CTC grades. The leaf is crushed, torn and curled into hard, round, black granules with a slight brownish bloom, then fully oxidised and fired. In the cup it gives a bright, coppery liquor with brisk strength and good body, and it holds its quality well in storage. Because of its clean, even appearance BP1 is the grade most often seen in loose-leaf packets and is a premium component of breakfast blends.

Typical uses & buyers

Loose-leaf retail packs and caddies
Premium breakfast and English-style blends
Hotel, catering and HoReCa loose tea
Pyramid and larger-format tea bags

Sample: $4.20/kg (indicative) Quote this type Order sample

Specifications

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
Moisture	≤ 6%
Total ash	4–8% (ISO 3720)
Water extract	≥ 32% (ISO 3720)
Crude fibre	≤ 16.5%
Caffeine	approx. 2.5–3.5%
Packing	70 kg multiwall paper sacks, poly-lined
Shelf life	24 months in dry, odour-free storage

Type 2 of 9

CTC Black Tea — PF1 (Pekoe Fannings 1)

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

PF1 is Kenya's highest-volume primary grade and the backbone of tea-bag blends worldwide. Its smaller granules infuse quickly, releasing a strong, red-bright liquor with plenty of colour and a lively, brisk taste. PF1 from high-altitude East-of-Rift factories is particularly valued for brightness, while West-of-Rift (Kericho, Nandi) lots bring strength and thickness.

Typical uses & buyers

Tea bags (string & tag, round, square)
Blending to standard retail profiles
Milk tea and strong breakfast blends
Iced and ready-to-drink (RTD) tea bases

Sample: $4.00/kg (indicative) Quote this type Order sample

Specifications

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
Moisture	≤ 6%
Total ash	4–8%
Water extract	≥ 32%
Crude fibre	≤ 16.5%
Packing	60–65 kg multiwall sacks
Typical 20ft FCL	approx. 18–20 MT
Shelf life	24 months

Type 3 of 9

CTC Black Tea — PD (Pekoe Dust)

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

Pekoe Dust is a fine, dense grade with very fast infusion and high colour. It produces a thick, dark, strong liquor that stands up well to milk and sugar. PD is used heavily by tea-bag packers who need maximum cup strength per gram and by markets where tea is boiled or brewed strong.

Typical uses & buyers

High-strength tea bags
Milk tea, chai and boiled tea markets
Economy and value blends
Vending and catering tea

Sample: $3.80/kg (indicative) Quote this type Order sample

Specifications

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%
Total ash	4–8%
Water extract	≥ 32%
Bulk density	higher than fannings — more grams per bag
Packing	65–70 kg multiwall sacks
Shelf life	24 months

Type 4 of 9

CTC Black Tea — D1 (Dust 1)

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

Dust 1 is the finest primary grade. It gives an intensely strong, dark cup in seconds and is the preferred grade in Pakistan, Egypt and many Middle Eastern and African markets, where tea is brewed strong and served with milk and sugar. Good D1 should be clean, grainy and free from fibre and flaky particles.

Typical uses & buyers

Loose dust tea for South Asian & Middle Eastern markets
Milk tea and karak/chai
Fine-cut tea bags
Local packers' house blends

Sample: $3.60/kg (indicative) Quote this type Order sample

Specifications

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%
Total ash	4–8%
Water extract	≥ 32%
Fibre	minimal — clean dust
Packing	70 kg multiwall sacks
Shelf life	24 months

Type 5 of 9

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

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

Secondary grades are separated from the primary grades during sorting. They include slightly lighter or flakier particles (BP, PF, PF2), dust (D), fannings (FNGS) and broken mixed fannings (BMF) containing more fibre. They brew a lighter, plainer cup but are excellent value for economy blends and industrial uses where appearance matters less.

Typical uses & buyers

Economy and value-line blends
Instant tea and tea extract manufacture
Industrial RTD tea
Price-sensitive export markets

Sample: $2.90/kg (indicative) Quote this type Order sample

Specifications

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%
Graded per EATTA catalogue descriptions
Packing	50–70 kg sacks
Sold on	approval of pre-shipment samples

Type 6 of 9

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.

Orthodox tea is rolled rather than cut, keeping the leaf whole or in larger broken pieces and preserving more aroma. Kenyan orthodox teas — produced by a growing number of specialty factories — give a lighter, more fragrant cup with malty, floral or muscatel notes, depending on altitude and season. Whole-leaf grades may include golden tips.

Typical uses & buyers

Specialty and gourmet loose-leaf brands
Single-estate and single-origin ranges
Flavoured and scented tea bases
Premium tea shops and cafés

Sample: $6.50/kg (indicative) Quote this type Order sample

Specifications

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)
Moisture	≤ 6%
Packing	20–40 kg lined cartons or paper sacks
Shelf life	24 months

Type 7 of 9

Green Tea

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

Kenyan green tea is made from the same high-altitude clones as black tea but is heated (steamed or pan-fired) immediately after plucking to stop oxidation. It retains its green colour and catechin content, producing a fresh, grassy and slightly sweet cup with low bitterness thanks to Kenya's cool growing conditions.

Typical uses & buyers

Green tea bags and loose packs
Matcha-style powders and extracts
Functional and wellness blends
RTD green tea beverages

Sample: $8.00/kg (indicative) Quote this type Order sample

Specifications

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%
Total ash	4–8%
Packing	20–30 kg lined cartons
Shelf life	18–24 months

Type 8 of 9

Purple Tea (TRFK 306)

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

Purple tea is a unique Kenyan cultivar (TRFK 306) developed by the Tea Research Institute. Its purple leaves contain high levels of anthocyanins — the antioxidants found in blueberries — alongside normal tea catechins. Processed as orthodox, CTC or green-style leaf, it brews a light, smooth, slightly woody cup with lower caffeine than typical black tea, and is marketed strongly as a wellness product.

Typical uses & buyers

Premium wellness and antioxidant tea brands
Herbal and functional blends
Extracts for nutraceuticals and cosmetics
Gift and specialty packs

Sample: $15.00/kg (indicative) Quote this type Order sample

Specifications

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
Moisture	≤ 6%
Packing	lined cartons 10–25 kg
Availability	limited — book volumes in advance

Type 9 of 9

White Tea / Silver Tips

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

Kenyan white tea is made from hand-plucked young buds, often covered in fine silver hairs, which are simply withered and dried with minimal handling. The result is a delicate, pale, naturally sweet tea with honey and floral notes. Volumes are small and seasonal, sold mainly to luxury tea houses.

Typical uses & buyers

Luxury and gift tea
Specialty tea retailers and hotels
Blends with flowers and fruit
Cosmetic extracts

Sample: $41.00/kg (indicative) Quote this type Order sample

Specifications

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%
Packing	1–5 kg lined boxes
Availability	small seasonal lots

Growing & production areas in Kenya

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.

Tea picker working on a green tea plantation

Terraced tea estate on a hillside at sunset

Trade information

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

Logistics & Incoterms

Sea freight FCL/LCL from Mombasa (KEMBA)
20ft dry containers; tea is fully containerised and fumigation-free
Incoterms: FOB Mombasa, CFR, CIF, DAP

Certifications

Rainforest Alliance
Fairtrade (selected factories)
ISO 22000 / FSSC 22000 (factory level)
Organic (EU / USDA) on request

Export documents

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)

Export destinations for Kenyan tea

Market-specific guidance on ports, transit times and import requirements.

🇵🇰Tea to PakistanKarachi Port (PKKHI)Sea 10–16 days · Air 1–2 days 🇪🇬Tea to EgyptAlexandria (EGALY)Sea 14–22 days · Air 1–2 days 🇬🇧Tea to United KingdomFelixstowe (GBFXT)Sea 24–35 days · Air 1 day 🇦🇪Tea to United Arab EmiratesJebel Ali, Dubai (AEJEA)Sea 8–14 days · Air 5–6 hours 🇷🇺Tea to RussiaNovorossiysk (RUNVS)Sea 22–45 days · Air 1–2 days

Frequently asked questions

Can I buy tea outside the Mombasa auction?

Yes. Kenya allows direct sales from factories alongside the auction. We source from both channels depending on your grade, volume and price target.

How do you guarantee the tea matches the sample?

Every lot is tasted and graded; we send pre-shipment samples for approval and can arrange third-party inspection (SGS, Bureau Veritas, Intertek) at loading.

Do you supply tea bags or retail packs?

Yes, through partner packers in Kenya. Share your artwork and specifications and we will quote private-label packing.

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 →

Sourcing Countries

How to Import from Kenya: Best Products, Verified Suppliers & Shipping Guide

A buyer's overview of Kenya's top export products, how sourcing works and how goods get from Kenyan farms and factories to your port.

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Export Market Guides

Import Kenyan Tea to Pakistan: Supplier Guide for Karachi Packers (Grades, LC, CIF Prices)

Grades Pakistani packers prefer, LC payment, documents and shipping to Karachi and Port Qasim.

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Import How-To Guides

FOB vs CIF from Mombasa: Which Incoterm Should You Use When Importing from East Africa?

Who pays freight, insurance and port charges under each Incoterm — and how to choose.

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Import How-To Guides

How to Order Product Samples from Kenya & East Africa: Pricing, Invoice and Shipping

Exactly how our sample orders work — from calculation to invoice, payment and courier.

Read guide →

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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