Kenya Set To Sale Own Tea Brand For The Global Market, Ruto Announces

Kenya Set To Sale Own Tea Brand For The Global Market, Ruto Announces

President William Ruto stated on Tuesday, May 14, that the government, in collaboration with a UK-based company, will create a Kenyan tea brand for the worldwide marketplace.

During a meeting with the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA), Ruto stated that the action was intended to ensure that the country earned money from its tea exports.

Meeting KTDA Tea Factory Chairmen and Directors, State House, Nairobi. https://t.co/uAcM5zvLtZ

— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) May 14, 2024

He explained that the majority of Kenyan-produced tea sold on the worldwide market is not branded with Kenyan colours, which he considers a squandered opportunity.

Ruto went on to say that other countries that produced less tea than Kenya made more money, which he considered humiliating.

“We are the 3rd largest tea producer in the world, yet there is no Kenyan tea brand, it is unforgivable. If you go outside Kenya, you will find no supermarket that sells Kenyan tea.

” Kenyan tea is sold in all manner of brands except a Kenyan brand. We cannot continue this way,” he stated.

On the other hand, he stated that a tea academy would be established in the country. He stated that the institution will assist Kenya in researching ways to improve its tea production in order to capitalize on global market potential.

The Head of State also stated that the government would implement different tax incentives to help promote the tea business.

“We have also agreed to set up an academy in Kenya where we’ll have a conversation about how to grow our tea. Last year we removed taxes on the packaging for tea. We cannot continue to export our tea in sacks.

“I am a very strong believer in the tea reforms. I want the tea industry to push me so long as they promise that they will be selling 60 per cent of tea in value-added exports,” he stated.

We will broaden and unlock lucrative tea markets, including Iran, move towards more production of orthodox and specialised tea besides adding value so that our farmers can fetch more from the crop.

Met KTDA factory chairmen and directors at State House, Nairobi. Also agreed to… pic.twitter.com/rxUTfFgoqh

— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) May 14, 2024

According to a survey by the Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency, Kenya is one of the countries that earns the least from tea, despite being one of the largest producers.

The value-added method used by other countries was identified as the key differentiator.

Kenya Set To Sale Own Tea Brand For The Global Market, Ruto Announces