NAIROBI: Kenyan tea exports are seen falling to 365 million kg in 2011 after a bumper crop of 399 million kg in 2010, but earnings are expected to rise to 106 billion shillings from 97 billion, the state-run Tea Board of Kenya said on Monday.
The board said in January to August tea output stood at 229.3 million kg, down from 260 million kg in the same period a year earlier, while earnings rose to 72.4 billion shillings from 65 billion shillings in the first eight months of 2010.
"The increase in earnings is attributed to improved demand, as well as a favourable exchange rate," Tea Board of Kenya Managing Director Sicily Kariuki told a news conference.
Kenya is the world's top exporter of black tea and in 2010 tea out paced horticulture to become the largest source of foreign exchange in east Africa's biggest economy.
Kariuki said in the period in review, Kenyan tea fetched an average price up to $3.02 per kg compared with $2.75 previously.
"Egypt was the leading destination accounting for 22 percent during the period, due to return to stability in the country, followed by Pakistan and others ," she said.
Earlier in the year, protests in Egypt -- which led to the ouster of long-time President Hosni Mubarak -- slowed sales to the country.
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