Kenya Tea Industry Performance Report - 2023 October

Tea production for the month of October 2023 recorded improved performance by 2.18 Million Kgs from 50.61 Million Kgs registered during the same period of last year to 52.79 Million Kgs. Production for October was also much more enhanced compared to 48.30 Million Kgs recorded in September and 45.57 Million Kgs in August this year. Improved production was attributed to wet weather conditions experienced in several parts of the country during the month of October, which was a continuation from the month of September over several parts of the country. In other parts of the country, this was followed by the onset of the “short” seasonal rains which commenced from the third to fourth week of October. The month was characterized by heavy storms and warmer temperatures, which according to the weather review by Kenya Meteorological Department, was an indication of the presence of El Niño conditions that is usually associated with above- average rainfall over East Africa. In tea growing regions in the West and North of Rift Valley, the rainfall was moderate but well distributed throughout the month especially in Kericho, Bomet and Nandi. However, in the East of Rift, lower rainfall was recorded in most parts of the tea growing regions with the exception of Embu/Meru and Kiambu where above-average rainfall (36 mm to 61 mm daily and 58mm to 76mm) was recorded in the second half of the month. Consequently, output in the West of Rift during the month of October this year was significantly higher by 4.77 Million Kgs from 31.26 Million Kgs recorded during the same month of 2022 to 36.03 Million Kgs. Production within the East of Rift in the month of October was lower compared to the same period last year by 2.60 Million Kgs from 19.35 Million Kgs to 16.75 Million Kgs.