Nairobi, April 5 -- A cluster of smaller countries is emerging as unlikely drivers of Kenya's tea export growth, signalling a shift in global demand patterns, as traditional markets show signs of strain and geopolitical disruptions alter trade routes.

Analysis of a sector performance report for 2025 by the Tea Board of Kenya (TBK) shows that while Pakistan remains dominant, Oman, Kazakhstan and Chad recorded the fastest growth in 2025, helping to lift Kenya's overall tea export volumes as some established destinations slowed.

The changing export landscape reflects a combination of shifting consumer preferences, supply chain disruptions, and strategic repositioning by key trading hubs, pointing to a gradual reconfiguration of Kenya's tea...