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Kenya is encouraging American firms to package tea at the source, saying local processing guarantees fresher products, full traceability, and better returns for farmers.
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Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe told U.S. investors that packaging tea in Kenya is more cost-effective and adds greater value to both producers and international buyers.
He noted that the government has scrapped taxes on packaging materials for agricultural exports, a move designed to help Kenyan firms package tea at origin to international standards. This, he said, ensures ready-to-shelf products with assured freshness while boosting farmers’ earnings.
“Packaging at the source cuts unnecessary expenses, increases competitiveness, and secures Kenya’s place in the global tea market,” Kagwe said during the North America Tea Conference in South Carolina.
Kagwe is leading a week-long trade mission in the U.S., joined by Tea Board of Kenya CEO Willy Mutai, KTDA Chair Geoffrey Kirundi, and other officials.
Kenya produced 598.47 million kilograms of tea in 2023, a 4.95 percent rise from the previous year, driven by favorable weather, subsidized fertilizer, and expanded processing capacity.
Kagwe added that Kenya’s innovative approach to tea production not only improves farmer incomes but also positions the country to meet changing global consumer preferences.
