- Seven tea factories fetched more than Ksh 388.08 per kg at the Mombasa Tea Auction, led by Mununga at Ksh 433.36 per kg.
- KTDA managed factories sold 2.46 million kg of tea, earning Ksh 822.8 million, despite lower volumes compared with the previous week.
- Rwanda recorded the highest average price at Ksh 372.81 per kg, while Kenyan tea averaged Ksh 283.80 per kg.
Seven tea factories fetched above Ksh 388.08 per kg at the Mombasa Tea Auction this week, with Mununga Tea Factory leading the pack at Ksh 433.36 per kg.
Mununga topped the list at Ksh 433.36 ($3.35) per kg, followed by Imenti at Ksh 416.93 ($3.23), Githongo at Ksh 404.90 ($3.13), Rukuriri at Ksh 401.02 ($3.10), Ngere at Ksh 391.96 ($3.03), and Gathuthi at Ksh 389.58 ($3.02). The strong showing prompted celebrations among smallholder farmers.
Since the introduction of the tea levy in May, only Mununga, Gathuthi, and Rukuriri had previously managed to sell above Ksh 400 per kg.
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Lower volumes, higher returns
According to East African Tea Trade Association (EATTA) Managing Director George Omuga, Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) managed factories sold 2,462,925 kg of tea, fetching Ksh 822.8 million. This was a drop from the previous week’s auction, which saw 3,097,862 kg sold.
“The smallholder factories offered less tea in the market as majority of the farmers have pruned their tea bushes as advised by the experts ahead of the expected short rains,” said Omuga.
KTDA Holding Chairman Enos Njeru appreciated the factories for posting better returns, despite a Ksh 2.28 per kg tea levy that has remained a major challenge for buyers.
“The tea factories from the east of the Rift Valley, owing to the fear of buyers rejecting their premiums, were forced to absorb the levy rather than return the teas to the warehouses,” said Njeru.
Volumes and regional comparison
Only two factories managed to offer more than 100,000 kg during the cold season: Makomboki, with 133,732 kg, and Kionyo, with 100,368 kg.
Rwanda tea, totalling 486,896 kg, attracted the best average price at Ksh 372.81 ($2.89) per kg. Kenyan tea trailed at Ksh 283.80 ($2.20) per kg for the 5,113,907 kg offered by KTDA factories and independent producers combined.
By our correspondent
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