KTDA to set minimal high quality requirements to boost Kenyan tea competitiveness  | Meals Enterprise Africa

KENYA – The Kenya Tea Growth Company (KTDA) is contemplating the implementation of minimal high quality requirements for all its teas as a part of an effort to boost the competitiveness of Kenyan tea within the international market.  

The transfer is geared toward making certain that Kenyan tea stays a best choice for shoppers worldwide. 

Talking throughout the induction of over 300 newly elected KTDA Administrators from 24 tea-producing counties, KTDA Nationwide Chairman Enos Njeru emphasised the significance of high quality in tea manufacturing.  

He urged farmers to concentrate on plucking the highest quality tea leaves, noting that the excessive quantity of unsold tea has been exacerbated by poor high quality, the hawking of tea, and using equipment for harvesting.  

Njeru additionally highlighted that the abolishment of Direct Abroad Gross sales (DSO) has negatively impacted tea shares. 

“Farmers who think about high quality slightly than amount are having fun with higher outcomes from the gross sales of their merchandise,” Njeru mentioned.  

“We wish to converse with one voice, set a minimal normal high quality that will probably be acceptable to KTDA in order that we deal with all farmers equally and pretty, and promote our tea in a method that generates higher income.” 

To handle the problem of overstocking, KTDA plans to diversify its product vary, decreasing reliance on bulk black CTC tea and providing a greater variety of merchandise to fulfill completely different market preferences.  

This technique is predicted to lower the quantity of unsold tea saved in KTDA warehouses. 

Njeru additionally famous that favorable climate situations and considerable rainfall have led to a major enhance in tea manufacturing.  

Based on the Tea Board of Kenya (TBK), tea output rose by 17 p.c to 321.09 million kilograms within the first half of 2024, in comparison with 273.64 million kilograms throughout the identical interval in 2023. 

Along with the standard initiatives, plans are underway to determine a typical consumer facility in Nairobi’s Industrial Space. The ability will facilitate worth addition and assist scale back transportation prices for farmers. 

Tea Board of Kenya CEO Willy Mutai burdened the significance of assembly the leaf high quality normal of “two leaves and a bud.”  

He assured farmers that the federal government is dedicated to supporting the sector, noting {that a} finances of KES1 billion  (US$7.76M) has been allotted to modernize gear at KTDA’s tea packing hub at KETEPA. 

Mutai additionally introduced that the federal government has reintroduced Direct Abroad Gross sales (DSO) and is working with KTDA to take away DSO from the Tea Act, permitting farmers to conduct direct gross sales at their respective factories.  

Moreover, the KTDA revealed the federal government has put aside KES10 billion (US$77.63M) to assist farmers, together with tea farmers, with backed fertilizers.