The East Africa Tea Trade Association (EATTA) has urged the Kenyan government to hold urgent diplomatic talks with Sudan following the country’s recent import ban on Kenyan tea.
The ban has raised concerns among exporters, as several containers of tea are already in transit, while significant stocks meant for the Sudanese market remain in Mombasa warehouses awaiting shipment.
EATTA Managing Director George Omuga warned that the sudden trade disruption could have severe financial consequences for tea exporters, producers, and farmers.
“We have buyers with running contracts and teas lying at Port Sudan. Several containers already dispatched are on the high seas, and there are huge stocks in Mombasa warehouses that were bought specifically for Sudan,” Omuga stated.
He explained that Kenyan tea exporters targeting Sudan would face serious cash flow challenges since tea that has already been shipped cannot be cleared at Port Sudan, leading to potential payment defaults.
The import ban is a major setback for Kenya’s tea sector, which relies heavily on international markets for revenue.
Sudan is one of Kenya’s key tea export destinations, and any disruption in trade could significantly impact farmers and tea producers across the country.
Omuga warned that if the situation is not resolved quickly, the losses incurred will trickle down the supply chain, affecting small-scale farmers who depend on tea sales for their livelihoods.
The trade restrictions come amid Sudan’s ongoing economic and political instability, which has led to increased import restrictions and tighter controls on foreign trade. This latest ban follows similar disruptions in other key tea markets, including Pakistan and Egypt, which have faced currency devaluation and import financing challenges.
Industry players now want the Kenyan government to intervene through diplomatic channels to negotiate for exemptions or alternative solutions that will allow Kenyan tea to continue reaching Sudanese buyers.
Without immediate action, the situation could lead to widespread losses for tea traders and hurt Kenya’s overall tea export performance.
