War in Iran strands tons of tea in Kenyan port : NPR
Shipping disruptions linked to the war in Iran have blocked 8 million kg of tea in the Kenyan port of Mombasa, costing the industry an estimated $8 million a week in mounting losses.
LEILA FADEL, HOST:
The war with Iran has created a crisis for one of the world’s largest tea exporters. The disruption to shipping routes has blocked nearly 9,000 tonnes of Kenya’s main exports in Mombasa warehouses, causing millions of dollars in losses and threatening farmers’ livelihoods. Michael Kaloki reports from Nairobi.
MICHAEL KALOKI: Trucks carrying tea are a common sight on the roads of Kiambu County, one of Kenya’s main tea-producing regions. AEN Kenya is a non-profit organization whose mission is to improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in the county. Maureen Njoki is one of the co-founders of the organization.
MAUREEN NJOKI: Here in Kiambu County, many people grew up with tea farming as their main source of income. They therefore depend mainly on it for their food, their education and their medical care.
KALOKI: The Middle East is a key market for Kenya’s tea exports, but the ongoing war in Iran has halted shipments, according to the East African Tea Traders’ Association. The disruption has left millions of pounds of tea stranded at Mombasa port, a situation that worries Ms Njoki.
NJOKI: The majority of farmers that we work with in my organization are actually concerned about tea, because now that it’s no longer exported, they’re wondering if they’re going to give up on tea? Where will their income come from and what is the path forward?
KALOKI: Back in the capital, Nairobi, economist Edward Kusewa points out that the financial impact of disruptions to tea exports has been widespread.
EDWARD KUSEWA: There is a sharp decline in farmers’ income and the country’s income. The income we expect from the sale of tea has really declined.
KALOKI: The impact is not limited to tea. Well-known markets like Kiamaiko Goat Markets in Nairobi are suffering heavy losses as demand from Middle Eastern buyers declines, according to economist Kusewa.
KUSEWA: There are a lot of exports from Kenya to the UAE, especially livestock, and that has been heavily disrupted. Communities that rely on flowers for exports have been disrupted. This has truly affected our country in a very, very significant way.
KALOKI: For now, Kenyans will likely closely follow the conflict on another continent that continues to shape realities here in East Africa.
For NPR News and Michael Kaloki in Nairobi.
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