Sudan tea ban lifted after 20 months: what exporters get

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The Sudan tea ban on Kenyan imports has been lifted after 20 months, President William Ruto announced on 11 November 2026, reopening a market that the Tea Board of Kenya (TBK) says shrank sharply while the restriction was in force. Sudan’s Minister of Industry and Trade, Mahasin Ali Yaqoub, formalised the decision through Ministerial Order No. 25 of 2026, signed on 8 November and effective from the date of signing.

“I am pleased that Sudan has lifted its ban on Kenyan tea imports, ending a restriction that had been in place for 20 months,” President Ruto said on his official X account, after meeting Sudan’s Prime Minister, Professor Kamil Idris, on the sidelines of the COMESA Heads of State and Government Summit in Harare, Zimbabwe.

What the order ending the Sudan tea ban says

The order cites a Sovereignty Council letter dated 2 November 2026 approving the lifting of the ban, and a Cabinet letter dated 5 November 2026 on the same matter. Its operative line reads: “The ban on tea imports from Kenya is lifted, and all relevant authorities shall implement this decision.”

The order does not set import volumes, a trade value or a date for the first shipments. It gives Sudanese border, port and customs authorities the legal basis to clear Kenyan tea again.

Sudan’s trade ministry suspended imports of all products from Kenya “through all ports, crossings, airports, and ports” in March 2025, citing the country’s sovereignty and national security, during a diplomatic dispute between the two governments.

What the Sudan tea ban cost Kenyan exporters

In its statement welcoming the order, the Tea Board of Kenya said tea exports to Sudan fell from 20 million kilogrammes to 8.7 million kilogrammes during the ban. Export earnings from the market dropped from KSh 4.5 billion to KSh 1.93 billion, a fall of KSh 2.57 billion, or about 57%.

“The lifting of the ban presents renewed opportunities to restore export volumes, recover earnings, strengthen bilateral trade and expand market access for Kenyan tea. This is a positive development for Kenya’s tea industry, exporters, producers and the wider tea value chain,” the board said.

The board described the decision as a significant milestone in restoring market access for Kenyan tea after months of restricted trade.

What changes for tea farmers and exporters

With the order in force, Kenyan exporters can ship tea to Sudan under normal trade rules again. “Kenya welcomes and appreciates this decision, which reopens an important market for our tea, restores opportunities for our exporters and supports the livelihoods of our farmers and their families,” President Ruto said, adding that Kenya looks forward to “expanding trade” with Sudan.

Most Kenyan tea is sold at the Mombasa auction before it is exported, so any recovery in buying for Sudan would be seen first in auction demand. Factories, brokers and smallholder growers have been dealing with other changes this year, including the suspension of the 0.8% tea levy and KTDA’s Chai Trading plan and Miritini warehouse. Our list of the top tea-producing counties in Kenya shows where the crop is grown.

Investors following listed tea companies can read our Williamson Tea dividend history and Kapchorua Tea dividend history.

Frequently asked questions

When was the Sudan tea ban lifted?

Sudan’s Minister of Industry and Trade signed Ministerial Order No. 25 of 2026 on 8 November 2026, and it took effect on signing. President Ruto announced it on 11 November.

How long did the Sudan tea ban last?

About 20 months. Sudan suspended imports of all Kenyan products in March 2025.

How much did Kenya lose from the Sudan tea ban?

The Tea Board of Kenya said exports to Sudan fell from 20 million kg to 8.7 million kg, and earnings fell from KSh 4.5 billion to KSh 1.93 billion.

Does the order say how much tea Sudan will buy?

No. The order lifts the ban and tells Sudanese authorities to implement it, but it sets no volume, value or shipment date.