Kenya ,1 November 2025 - Kenya’s tea industry has received a major boost after a ship carrying 30,000 metric tonnes of fertilizer docked at the Port of Mombasa, paving the way for the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) to begin distribution to thousands of smallholder farmers across the country.
The consignment marks the start of KTDA’s annual fertilizer supply program, which provides small-scale tea growers with access to affordable inputs aimed at improving productivity and profitability. The fertilizer will be sold to farmers at a subsidized price of KSh 2,500 per 50-kilogram bag, thanks to continued government support targeting the reduction of farm input costs.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremony in Mombasa on Friday, KTDA National Chairman Geoffrey Chege Kirundi said the arrival signals renewed momentum for the sector, coming after months of delay caused by protracted court cases over the procurement process.
“This shipment marks the beginning of several deliveries that will guarantee timely access to fertilizer for our farmers,” Kirundi said. “Another 33,000 tonnes have already left China, and a further 36,000 tonnes will follow within the next week to meet national demand.”
He noted that while offloading has been slightly slowed by the ongoing short rains, KTDA is collaborating closely with the Kenya Ports Authority, transporters, and other logistics partners to fast-track clearance and delivery to factories.
“The fertilizer will begin moving to our tea factories next week. We are doing everything possible to ensure every farmer receives their share before the peak planting and maintenance period,” Kirundi added.
KTDA officials explained that the nearly ten-month legal dispute over tendering had significantly disrupted their procurement schedule, but emphasized that lessons learned will inform future processes to avoid similar setbacks.
“This is the third time in recent years that legal challenges have interfered with timely fertilizer supply,” one senior official said. “We are now reviewing internal mechanisms to make the process more efficient and transparent going forward.”
Tea farmers across KTDA’s network have welcomed the news, saying access to affordable fertilizer will help them cut production costs and boost yields amid fluctuating global tea prices and rising input expenses.
The tea sub-sector remains one of Kenya’s top foreign exchange earners, contributing billions to the economy annually. Stakeholders hope the timely distribution of subsidized fertilizer will strengthen the country’s position as a leading exporter of high-quality tea and improve earnings for over 600,000 smallholder farmers who depend on the crop for their livelihoods.
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