Kenya sees tea output drop, exports up
Kenya, the world's biggest exporter of black tea, is facing a mixed bag of results from its tea industry. Output fell 7 percent in May compared to the same period last year on depressed and poorly distributed rainfall patterns in most tea-growing regions. Tea production in 2011 is already down a staggering 18% due to poor weather conditions. This trend is also reflected on the auction floor in Mombasa, where sales fell 23% in May. There are however positive signs for the industry, with export volumes picking up by 11% year on year, as buyers stock up on supplies. Egypt was the leading export destination for Kenyan tea in May, having imported 6.4 million kilograms of tea or 19% of total exports.