This archive report was first published on 29 June 2020.
Kenya is the world's third-largest tea producer, accounting for over 96% of its tea exports as black tea. However, the country is now exploring the production of purple tea, a high-value crop that offers farmers better returns and new opportunities.
Developed by the Kenya Tea Research Institute in 2011, purple tea has a unique set of characteristics that make it an attractive crop for farmers. It grows well in high-altitude regions, is resistant to drought and pests, and has a high yield of up to 10 times that of processed green tea.
According to the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (Kippra), Kenya exports around 60 tonnes of purple tea to Japan, China, North America, and Europe, with Japan being the main export market. The price of purple tea is also increasing, with a kilo selling for Sh2,600 in the local market, compared to Sh200 for green tea.
Despite its potential, the production of purple tea in Kenya is still low, with only a few farmers involved. This is due to the lack of income when farmers uproot their black tea bushes to establish purple ones, which take three years to mature. Additionally, purple tea requires specialized plant equipment and technical know-how, which can be a barrier to adoption.
However, with aggressive marketing and awareness campaigns, the demand for purple tea is expected to increase, motivating more farmers to grow the crop. As the global market for black tea becomes increasingly competitive, specialty products like purple tea are likely to do well.
The writer is based at the Department of Crops, Horticulture and Soils, Egerton University.
