Kenya's Economy
Tea, Coffee and Cut Flowers
How Kenya became the world's largest black tea exporter and a leading cut-flower supplier to Europe, and the role of smallholders and air freight.
Agriculture drives Kenya’s exports.
Tea
- Kenya is the world’s largest black tea exporter.
- Much tea is grown by smallholders organised through the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA).
- Tea is sold at the Mombasa auction, one of the world’s largest.
Coffee
Kenyan arabica is prized for quality, though production has declined.
Cut flowers
- Kenya is one of the largest suppliers of cut flowers, especially roses, to Europe.
- Farms around Lake Naivasha employ many workers.
- Flowers fly overnight to Amsterdam’s flower auctions.
Horticulture
Avocados, French beans and vegetables are exported to Europe and increasingly China.
Challenges
- Price swings.
- Climate and water use at Lake Naivasha.
- Air freight costs.
India comparison
India competes with Kenya in tea markets.
The overnight rose
Roses cut near Lake Naivasha in the morning are flown to the Netherlands that night and sold in European shops two days later.
Thinking Kenya exports mainly minerals
Tea, flowers and horticulture lead its exports.
Key takeaways
- Kenya is the world's largest black tea exporter.
- Smallholders grow much of its tea through KTDA.
- Kenya is a top rose supplier to Europe.
- Air freight enables fresh exports.
No recording for this one yet - EconReader can read it aloud for you.