Sudan has officially reopened its market to Kenyan tea imports after a 20-month suspension, restoring access to an annual trade corridor valued at approximately $69 million, DW news reported.
The ban, which first took effect in March 2025 following a deterioration in diplomatic relations between Nairobi and Khartoum, was lifted following renewed diplomatic efforts aimed at normalizing bilateral trade.
Prior to the restriction, Sudan ranked among Kenya’s top export destinations, historically purchasing roughly 35 million kilograms of Kenyan tea each year.
The sudden closure in 2025 dealt a heavy financial blow to Kenyan exporters, traders, and smallholder farmers. At the time the halt took effect, tea valued at more than $24 million was already in transit or awaiting shipment.
The disruption also left 207 forty-foot containers stranded at the Port of Mombasa, compounding storage costs and commercial losses.
Industry stakeholders have welcomed the reopening, noting that renewed access will help improve export earnings, create new opportunities for producers, and support farmer livelihoods amid intense competition in global tea markets.
The development marks a major milestone for Kenya’s tea sector, which relies heavily on international buyers to sustain production and generate foreign exchange, as the country continues its broader push to expand market access and diversify trade partnerships across Africa and beyond.
