Kenya is seeking to deepen its trade relations with China through the expansion of tea exports, following a high-level meeting between President William Ruto and Zhang Chaobin, Chairman of Fuzhou Benny Tea Industries, one of China’s top tea companies. The talks were held as a follow-up to President Ruto’s recent State Visit to the People’s Republic of China.
The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in the tea sector, with an emphasis on increasing the access of Kenyan orthodox and specialty teas to the Chinese market. Chairman Zhang expressed strong interest in sourcing orthodox tea directly from Kenya to meet his company’s annual supply demands. He also pledged to invest in the establishment of modern orthodox tea production facilities in select tea-growing counties across Kenya.
Benny Tea Industries, known for its refined specialty teas, ranks among the top three companies in China’s tea production and retail supply chain. The firm’s interest in Kenyan tea signals a significant opportunity for Kenyan farmers and exporters to tap into Asia’s vast and growing consumer market.
The engagement brought together key stakeholders in Kenya’s tea industry, including the Ministry of Agriculture, the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA), and the Tea Board of Kenya. It is part of President Ruto’s broader strategy to enhance the export value of Kenya’s agricultural produce through improved processing, packaging, and market diversification.
As Africa’s leading tea exporter, Kenya has been seeking new markets for its tea beyond traditional buyers. China, with its expanding middle class and rising demand for quality teas, presents a promising opportunity. Alongside tea, Kenya is also looking to increase exports of other high-value agricultural commodities such as coffee, avocados, and macadamia nuts to the Chinese market.
The visiting delegation from China’s Fujian Province was accompanied by Kenya’s Deputy Head of Mission in China, Ambassador Lynette Ndile, further highlighting the diplomatic and commercial importance of the talks.
The collaboration marks a significant step toward strengthening Sino-Kenyan trade relations while supporting Kenya’s goal of agricultural transformation and export-led economic growth.
