Disruption to shipping routes linked to the Iran war has left about eight million kilograms of tea stuck in warehouses in Mombasa, Kenya, for weeks, threatening export earnings and farmer incomes. George Omuga, managing director of the association that runs the Mombas tea auction, said losses since March 1 were $8 million per week. No tea was currently leaving for the Middle East, which accounts for 20-25% of Kenya's tea exports, and buyers were also reducing purchases as even the stocks they had already bought were not moving. Despite President William Ruto's claim that 81% of tea offered for auction exported in March, up from 75% a year ago, Omuga said the 81% figure was based on purchases made at the auction between January and March 2026.