Agriculture Cabinet Secretary (CS) Mutahi Kagwe on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, held a meeting with Iranian business groups to deliberate on lifting the current ban on Kenyan tea exports to Iran. 

Speaking after the meeting, Kagwe through a statement shared via the ministry’s official X handle, detailed that the discussions also focused on exploring expanded trade opportunities across the broader Middle Eastern and Central Asian region. 

While the importance of the engagement, the CS expressed that reopening access to Iran’s market could positively impact tea farmers and the entire tea value chain. 

“CS Mutahi Kagwe, held a meeting with Iranian business groups to deliberate on lifting the current ban on Kenyan tea exports to Iran.

“The discussions also focused on exploring expanded trade opportunities not only with Iran but across the broader Middle Eastern and Central Asian,” the statement read in parts. 

Adding;

“Reopening access to Iran’s robust market could be a game changer for tea farmers and the entire tea value chain.”

Further, the CS reiterated the ministry’s commitment to strengthening bilateral trade ties and ensuring high quality tea reaches global markets. 

“Kenya, as the world’s leading exporter of black tea, is committed to strengthening bilateral trade ties and ensuring our high-quality tea reaches global markets,” the statement added. 

Kagwe was accompanied by Kenya’s Ambassador to UAE Kenneth Milimo Chege Kirundi and CEO Wilson Muthaura. 

UNLOCKING TEA TRADE BAN.

Kenya, as the world’s leading exporter of black tea, is committed to strengthening bilateral trade ties and ensuring our high-quality tea reaches global markets. #BETAKilimo#FoodSecurity#TeaValueChain#IranKenyaRelations pic.twitter.com/QwizRJBAju

— Ministry of Agriculture & Livestock Development (@kilimoKE) April 17, 2025