This archive report was first published on 27 August 2019.
Kenya is on the verge of a major tea export deal with China, which could see the country's tea farmers earning up to Sh 40 billion in a decade.
According to Agriculture CS Mwangi Kiunjuri, the deal will involve the export of approximately five million kilograms of specialty teas to China over the next three years.
Speaking during a meeting with a Chinese delegation, Kiunjuri said the deal will be a significant boost for Kenyan farmers, who will earn close to Sh 7 billion in the first three years, with the potential to increase to Sh 40 billion in a decade.
‘We believe a partnership with Chinese companies will lead to growth of the purple tea market segment. It is our desire to pursue enhanced access to the Chinese market for tea products,’ Kiunjuri said.
The deal will see Fuzhou Benny Tea Industry Company, a Chinese firm, market Kenyan purple tea through an electronic trading platform, while also providing machinery and expertise to five tea processing factories involved in the deal.
The agreement is expected to not only boost Kenya's tea exports but also open up the Chinese market to more Kenyan products.
Kenya's current tea exports stand at Sh 31.37 billion, having declined from Sh 40.09 billion.
