THE sporadic rains witnessed in January increased tea output to 45.3 million kilos compared to 36.2 million kilos recorded in January 2012.

Tea Board of Kenya said there was good production across the sub-sectors of the industry, with tea output from smallholder farms increasing from 21.5 million kilos to 27.7 million kilos. Production within the plantation sub-sector rose from 14.6 million kilos to 17.6 million kilos.

Pakistan held its position as the number one importer of Kenyan tea accounting for 26 per cent of total volumes exported from Kenya in January.

"The total export volume for the month of January 2013 was 39.8 million kilos compared to 37.9 million kgs recorded same period of last year. The tea was shipped to 35 export destinations," said TBK in a statement yesterday.

The other top four foreign markets for Kenyan tea were Egypt which imported 7.7 million kgs, UK at 5.2 million kilos, Afghanistan which bought 3 million kilos and UAE that imported 7.7 million kilos.

TBK said the top five export markets accounted for 72 per cent of total Kenyan tea sold in all foreign markets.

Locally, consumption rose to 2.2 million kilos from the 1.3 million kilos consumed in January 2012.