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Kenya’s Ministry of Agriculture has announced a new policy that will allow all 142 tea factories in the country to sell their tea directly to international markets.
This policy change, revealed on Friday, aims to eliminate middlemen and improve profit margins for tea farmers.
Mutahi Kagwe, the Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development, emphasized that the new policy will help farmers secure better returns, enhance governance in the tea sector, and promote transparency in smallholder tea factories. He made the announcement in Nyeri, central Kenya, during the observance of International Tea Day.
Kagwe noted that the policy shift aligns with Kenya’s efforts to boost marketing strategies and increase earnings for smallholder tea farmers, especially as the country seeks to tap into emerging international markets.
“I will soon lead a high-level delegation, including the Tea Board of Kenya (TBK), Kenya Tea Development Agency, and the East African Tea Trade Association (EATTA), to key markets like China, India, Russia, and the Middle East to promote Kenyan tea,” Kagwe said.
In addition, Kagwe unveiled plans for the launch of an orthodox tea auction window within the Integrated Tea Trading System in June. This initiative, aimed at revitalizing Kenya’s tea industry, will be managed by EATTA in partnership with the TBK. The auction is expected to strengthen distribution channels and encourage a shift from traditional Cut, Tear, and Curl (CTC) teas to more sustainable and premium orthodox teas.
International Tea Day, observed annually on May 21, serves as a reminder to honor the tea industry and promote sustainable production, consumption, and food security, as recognized by the United Nations.
