Kenya Suspends Rainforest Alliance Certification Amid Mounting Costs

The Rainforest Alliance (RA) certification, a globally recognized sustainability standard, has played a central role in shaping global agricultural trade practices for over 35 years, particularly in the cocoa, coffee, and tea industries. Designed to promote environmentally sound farming, biodiversity conservation, and social responsibility, the certification has become a critical credential for producers aiming to access premium markets in Europe and North America.

However, the cost of compliance has proven increasingly difficult for smallholder-led industries. In response, a growing number of producer countries are beginning to reassess their participation in the program. Kenya is the most recent country to suspend the Rainforest Alliance certification, citing significant financial and logistical challenges.

Rationale Behind the Suspension

Kenya’s Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) officially announced the suspension in May-25, noting that the certification process imposes heavy costs on smallholder factories. Tea producers must cover a wide range of expenses, including training, audit fees, compliance systems, and ongoing documentation—all of which contribute to the financial burden.

For Kenyan tea factories producing between 5 million and 15 million kilograms (kg) of tea per year, the costs associated with RA certification range from USD 2,900 (KSH 384,000) to USD 3,200 (KSH 420,000) annually. While large-scale exporters may be able to absorb these costs, smallholder-dominated producers face financial strain that threatens their long-term sustainability and competitiveness.

Another key issue cited by the AFA is the duplication of sustainability standards. Many tea producers are forced to adhere to multiple certification schemes, each with similar benchmarks but separate audit and compliance processes. This redundancy increases operational costs and adds complexity to an already resource-intensive process.

Industry Reactions and Export Market Concerns

The suspension has sparked concern among industry stakeholders, particularly those engaged in export markets that strongly favor certified products. To gain insight into the potential implications, Tridge interviewed Christine Simon, a Kenyan tea trader and CEO of Buy Kenyan Tea. According to Simon, while the move may provide cost relief domestically, it could pose challenges for exporters targeting European and North American buyers.

“We will be monitoring to see how the European and North American markets react,” Simon said. “The United Kingdom (UK) buys between 4.5 and 6.5 million kg of tea per month, give or take. This is a market hugely reliant on RA. Exporters like Finlays and Global Tea have a long history with this market.”

European and North American buyers often make certification a prerequisite for trade, aligning with consumer preferences for ethically and sustainably sourced goods. With the suspension of RA certification, Kenyan producers may face heightened scrutiny or reduced access in these markets unless alternative verification mechanisms are established.

Kenya’s Export Landscape: Who Really Demands RA?

Despite concerns over potential disruptions in RA-dependent markets, a broader view of Kenya’s export landscape suggests that the impact may be limited. European and North American markets, while important, are not Kenya’s largest buyers of tea. Instead, the majority of Kenya’s tea exports go to countries that do not emphasize RA certification as a purchasing requirement.

According to data from the International Trade Centre (ITC) Trade Map, Kenya exported 221.46 thousand tons of tea to Pakistan in 2024. This is an increase of 1.2% from 2023 and accounts for 39.3% of total exports. Egypt, Kenya’s second-largest buyer, imported 90.9 thousand tons, representing 13.6% of exports. Combined, these two markets account for over 52% of Kenya’s total tea exports.

In contrast, the UK and Russia—Kenya’s only European markets within the top 10—account for 9.8% and 3.2% of exports, respectively. Other significant buyers include countries in the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia, where sustainability certification is generally less emphasized in procurement decisions. This geographical diversification offers Kenya a buffer against any negative fallout from the RA suspension.

Figure 1. Kenyan Tea Exports to Top 5 Markets

A Shift Toward Locally Designed Sustainability Frameworks

With the RA suspension now in place, Kenya is exploring options for a homegrown sustainability certification system: one that better aligns with local economic realities while still meeting the expectations of key global markets. The government can look at successful models adopted by other tea-producing nations.

For instance, India developed the Trustea Code, a domestic certification scheme focused on sustainability within the Indian context. Sri Lanka implemented a similar initiative with the “Ceylon Tea” Lion Logo, a national mark of quality and sustainability that has gained global recognition.

Simon suggested that Kenya could follow suit, citing additional examples from Rwanda and Malawi. These countries have adopted more flexible approaches, where only factories serving buyers who explicitly demand RA certification are required to comply. This compliance is often supported financially by the buyers themselves.

Such an approach could help Kenya balance the cost of compliance with market access requirements. It would allow producers to allocate resources more efficiently, focusing certification efforts on specific markets without imposing blanket obligations on the entire industry.

Conclusion: A Strategic Reset for Kenyan Tea

Kenya’s decision to suspend the Rainforest Alliance certification is not merely a cost-cutting measure. It marks the beginning of a strategic reset in the country's tea industry. By questioning the relevance and feasibility of one-size-fits-all certification schemes, Kenya joins a growing chorus of agricultural producers advocating for more localized, context-sensitive sustainability models.

Although this move may pose short-term risks in RA-dependent markets, the long-term outlook remains strong. Kenya's dominant position in the global tea trade, particularly in non-European markets, offers it a degree of resilience. If executed thoughtfully, the country’s pivot toward a locally defined sustainability framework could serve as a model for other nations navigating the landscape of international certification and trade.