KENYA AND IRAN TO LIFT TEA EXPORT BAN AFTER NEW TRADE DEAL

Kenya and Iran have agreed to establish a joint committee aimed at eliminating trade barriers within 60 days, a move expected to lead to the lifting of the ban on Kenyan tea exports to Iran. This agreement was reached during the 7th Session of the Kenya-Iran Joint Commission for Cooperation(JCC), held in Nairobi and co-chaired by Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Iran’s Minister of Agricultural Jihad, Dr. Gholamreza Nouri Ghezalcheh.

The tea export ban was imposed following a criminal trade scandal involving Kenyan company Cup of Joe Limited, which allegedly imported low-grade tea, blended it, and falsely re-exported it to Iran as premium Kenyan tea. The Tea Board of Kenya has since revoked the company’s license, and legal action is now underway. Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe emphasized that both governments are committed to enforcing strict regulations to protect the integrity of Kenyan tea exports. “Tea is one of Kenya’s top foreign exchange earners, and we must shield the sector from dishonest traders who tarnish our international reputation,” he stated.

In 2023, Kenya exported 12.4 million kilograms of tea to Iran, earning Ksh4.28 billion down from 17.8 million kilograms valued at Ksh5.85 billion in 2022. The embargo has significantly impacted farmers and exporters financially. The newly formed joint committee will develop a framework to rebuild trust, uphold quality standards, and facilitate the resumption of exports before the 60-day deadline expires.