The East African Trade Association (EATA) has called on President William Ruto to promptly engage the Sudanese government to allow a one-month window for buyers and exporters to clear tea shipments already shipped from Mombasa.
This request follows Sudan's suspension of all imports from Kenya due to Kenya's decision to host the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a rebel group currently in conflict with the Sudanese government.
EATA highlighted that the ban has left large stocks of tea destined for Sudan stranded in Mombasa warehouses and on the high seas, posing significant financial risks to tea farmers.
Exporters are seeking President Ruto's intervention to mitigate the potential losses resulting from the inability to fulfill contracts and payments for teas that had already been purchased at the Mombasa tea auction.
They decried that the immediate ban compromises farmers who already have running contracts with the tea importers in Sudan, and they have already shipped out teas that are on the high seas; some are lying at the Sudan port, and others are lying at the warehouse in Mombasa.
Some teas, already packed and branded for the Sudanese market, are now stranded due to the ban.
EATA warned that the ban could have severe economic repercussions on the tea trade, both in Kenya and internationally, as Kenya controls 80 per cent of the teas traded through the port of Mombasa.
"The ban is going to have a serious negative economic impact on the tea trade, not just in Kenya but internationally because Kenya controls 80 per cent of the teas traded through the port of Mombasa," EATA explained.
"This will result in unfathomable losses incurred by buyers and will trickle down to producers and farmers," the exporters continued in an official statement on Friday.
The tea exporters are also calling for at least one month of exportation to Sudan to cushion them from immediate losses. Sudan is one of the largest consumers of Kenyan tea.
In a notice issued on Thursday by an acting minister, Sudan announced the immediate restriction of all imports from Kenya, barring entry via ports, railways, and air transport.
Sudan is punishing Kenya for its defiant move of hosting and sponsoring RSF in Nairobi, adding that the move was aimed at protecting Sudan’s national interests and security.
