Kenya is targeting to enhance bilateral trade with the Islamic Republic of Iran through enhance cooperation according to the agriculture ministry.
While meeting with Iran ambassador to Kenya Ali Ghampour ahead of the Kenya-Iran Joint Cooperation Commission (JCC) scheduled for May 2025, Agriculture and Livestock Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said the Asian nation present trade opportunities despite existing barriers.
Iran is Kenya key market for Kenya’s livestock and tea which Kenya is seeking to enhance ahead of the meeting.
“The discussions centered on resolving challenges in tea exports and livestock logistics paving the way for enhanced trade cooperation ahead of the Kenya-Iran Joint Cooperation Commission (JCC) scheduled for May 2025,” said the ministry.
According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), exports to Iran grew to Ksh 6.7 billion from Ksh 5.9 billion registered in 2023.
On the other hand, imports from Iran grew from Ksh 3.4 billion in 2023 to Ksh 4 billion in last year.
This comes as the ministry commenced engagement with tea industry stakeholders to address critical concerns affecting the tea sector, including the unsold tea stocks in Mombasa and a search for new markets of the commodity.
Ronald Owili
