NAIROBI, March 23: Kenya's tea output rose 200 per cent in February to 34.8 million kg, from 11.6 million kg during the same time last year, boosted by good rains, the government's Tea Board of Kenya said on Friday.

"The increased output was largely attributed to favourable weather conditions characterised by well distributed rainfall experienced in tea-growing areas," the board said.

Kenya is a leading producer of black tea, together with India and Sri Lanka.

The board said it expects production to increase further in March following the onset of the long rains, which last to May.

During the east African country's long rainy season, tea factories are usually swamped by increased tea leaf picking which can sometimes overwhelm processing.

The tea growing region suffered during a severe drought in 2006 leading to a drop in output.—Reuters