Declining tea prices blamed on poor quality green leaf

Sep 21, 2014

Tea farmers across the country have been asked to pick only the recommended green tea leaves so as to curb the decline of international tea prices.

By Patson Barair

Tea farmers across the country have been asked to pick only the recommended green tea leaves so as to curb the decline of international tea prices.


The call was made by Caleb Kipande, the former chairman of the board of directors of Kayonza Growers Tea Factory.He was addressing the 19th annual general meeting for the factory shareholders in Kanungu district last week.

He said many farmers harvest poor quality green tea leaves, which has compromised the international market value at the auction market in Mombasa.

“Our main auction market in Mombasa has witnessed a fall in prices due to the quality supplied. This has affected our incomes,” Kipande said.

As a result, farmers are earning only sh380 per kilo for their leaf. Previously, they earned sh410.

He, however, said that although the operating environment had remained subdued in the last six months, Kayonza Growers Tea Factory which started in the 1950s has managed to deliver a fair result.

Like other farmers, Kipande said the Government decision to tax agricultural inputs and machinery is adversely affecting their operations.

He also said that leaders from various tea factories have appeared before the Parliamentary committee on tourism, trade and industry to appeal for the introduction of Tea Regulatory Authority so that the industry is regulated.

The shareholders elected two board of directors returning Joseph Kamasha who has been a long serving member. Wilbroad Musasizi replaced Johnson Twinomugisha and Gregory Mugabe was elected new board of directors chairman.

In his acceptance speech as the new chairman Mugabe said that his tenure will bring in a new chapter in tea industry.

“We shall ensure that the strategic partnership between Kayonza Growers Tea Factory and other stakeholders continue to flourish for the benefit of the shareholders,” Mugabe said.

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