Economic Impact
- 26% direct contribution to GDP
- 27% indirect contribution through sector linkages
- Employs 40%+ of total population
- Supports 70%+ of rural population
- Growing at 5% annually
Export Products
- Horticulture and floriculture (cut flowers, fruits, vegetables)
- Coffee and tea
- Herbs, spices and nuts
- Pyrethrum extract and sisal products
- Pulses and other agricultural products
Leading Export Products
Over 90% of agricultural exports include horticulture, floriculture, coffee, tea, pulses, pyrethrum extract, and sisal products - positioning Kenya as a key agricultural producer in the region.
Kenya Coffee Industry
100% Mild Arabica Coffee - A Specialty Producer
Kenya's coffee has cut a niche for itself in the international arena as the fourth largest foreign exchange earner after tea, tourism and horticulture.
Economic Impact
- Supports close to 5 million people
- Contributes about 1% to GDP
- Accounts for 8% of total agricultural exports
- Fourth largest foreign exchange earner
Export Markets
- Traditional Markets: Germany, Belgium, UK, Sweden, Finland
- Specialty Markets: Premium coffee variants
- Emerging Markets: Various developing markets
Regional Coffee Flavors
Mt. Kenya Region
- Murang'a: Medium acidity, full body, grape fruity taste
- Kiambu: Medium acidity, full body, grape fruity taste
- Nyeri: Complex sweetish flavor, floral, citrus acidity
- Kirinyaga: Citrus acidity, full body, blackcurrant flavor
Eastern Region
- Meru: Bright citrus acidity, berries and chocolate
- Embu: Bright citrus acidity, berries and chocolate
- Machakos/Makueni: Medium acidity, chocolate and caramel
Other Regions
- Rift Valley: Medium acidity, chocolate taste
- Western: Bright acidity with fruity overtones
- Kisii: "God's Bath" - medium acidity, medium body
- Coastal: Medium acidity, full body, fruity
DRINK KENYA COFFEE
REMAIN VERY REFRESHED AND REJUVENATED
Kenyan Tea | Natural | Fresh | Premium
Kenya is the third largest producer and largest exporter of tea in the world, contributing over 23% to global tea exports.
Growing Conditions
- 19 tea-growing counties
- 1,500m - 2,700m above sea level
- 1,200mm - 1,400mm rainfall annually
- Year-round production
- Equatorial location advantage
Industry Statistics
- 218,000 hectares under tea
- 473,000 metric tonnes production
- 90%+ hand-picked tea
- 5 million people supported
- Ksh 120 billion export earnings
Kenya Purple Tea - Exclusive to Kenya
Purple tea is a rare tea variety grown in Mt. Kenya and Rift Valley regions, derived from a new crossbred variety of Camellia sinensis.
- Very rich in anthocyanin (a flavonoid)
- Anti-inflammatory and anti-viral benefits
- Available in both loose form and tea bags
- EXCLUSIVE to Kenya
Why Choose Kenya Tea?
- ✓ No pesticides or agro-chemicals
- ✓ No additives, preservatives or artificial coloring
- ✓ Unique flavor profile
- ✓ Compliance with global food safety standards
- ✓ Environmental and social certifications
Tea Culture in Kenya
"Anytime is tea time in Kenya" - Tea is served at breakfast, mealtimes, and during regular teatime. It's customary to serve visitors tea and it's an integral part of cultural celebrations, weddings, and homecoming events.
Horticulture & Floriculture
Kenya's horticulture sector is a major economic pillar, contributing 33% of GDP and supporting over 4 million jobs.
Cut Flowers
Kenya is the third largest producer and exporter of cut flowers globally. "From Kenya With Love" - 95% of flowers are exported.
- • 59% exported to Holland
- • 14% to United Kingdom
- • Growing markets: UAE, USA
- • Main flowers: roses, carnations, alstroemeria
Fruits & Nuts
Kenya's fruit sector has grown by 12% annually between 2005-2015. Major opportunity in processing sector.
- • 40% of fruit crop currently goes to waste
- • Only 8% currently processed
- • Main exports: macadamia, cashew nuts
- • 27 registered nut processing companies
Herbs & Spices
Emerging niche products gaining popularity in international markets, especially in the EU region.
- • Chives, basil, coriander
- • Thyme and rosemary
- • Tender stem broccoli (TSB)
- • Destinations: UK, France, Netherlands
Macadamia - World's Finest Dessert Nut
Kenya is ranked as the third largest exporter of macadamia nuts after Australia and South Africa. Over 2 million smallholder farmers grow macadamia across the country.
Key Markets: Japan, Hong Kong, Germany, USA, Canada, Switzerland, China, East Asia, and India. Kenyan macadamia is especially richer and crunchier due to mineral-rich highland soils.
Other Key Agricultural Products
Pyrethrum Industry
Kenya has the potential to produce over 20,000 MTs of dry pyrethrum flowers annually, earning over KES 7.5 billion in foreign exchange.
- • Ideal conditions for high quality pyrethrum
- • Kenyan pyrethrin has reputation as best in the world
- • Grown in 19 counties across Kenya
- • Used as natural insecticides
Dairy Industry
Kenya is one of the largest dairy producers in Sub-Saharan Africa with 5.7 billion litres annual milk production.
- • 3.5 million improved dairy cattle
- • 30 active milk processors
- • Projected 12 billion litres by 2030
- • Growing 4.5-5% annually
Agriculture Agencies & Resources
Coffee & Tea Agencies
- Coffee Directorate
- Tea Board of Kenya
- KTDA
- KETEPA
- KPCU
- KEPROBA
Other Agricultural Bodies
- Agriculture and Food Authority
- Pyrethrum Board of Kenya
- New Kenya Cooperative Creameries
- Kenya Nut Company
- Kenya Flower Council
- Kenya Sugar Board
Partnership Opportunities
Kenya's agricultural sector offers numerous opportunities for partnerships, investment, and trade. Contact the embassy to learn more about how to engage with Kenya's thriving agricultural industry and explore business opportunities in this vital economic sector.