Sacco Review | The Leading Newspaper for Co-operative Movement in Kenya
The Leading Newspaper for Co-operative Movement in Kenya
Agriculture CS Mutahi Kagwe has ordered tea factories to reject poor quality green leaf that does not meet the two leaves and a bud standard. The government has allocated Ksh 7.1 billion to modernise tea factories, with Ksh 44.6 million going to Kapsara Tea Factory for a new withering plant. Kagwe said improving leaf quality,…
Agriculture CS Mutahi Kagwe says the proposed 0.8% tea levy will be paid by buyers, not farmers, and will not reduce grower earnings. The levy will support farmer payments, research, infrastructure and marketing as Kenya seeks to protect tea through a Geographical Indication. Agriculture Cabinet Secretary (CS) Mutahi Kagwe has said the proposed 0.8% tea…
Smallholder tea sales at the Mombasa Tea Auction fell to 128.6 million kg from 138.8 million kg a year earlier. Exporters blame the new Ksh 2.28 per kg tea levy for reducing demand from international buyers. TBK says the levy will fund tea price stabilisation, research and sector infrastructure. Smallholder tea factories sold 128,554,359kgs of…
Kagwe defended the Tea Levy, saying it funds tea marketing, research and value addition, not farmers. Tea uptake has risen to 93 per cent, which he said disproves claims the levy has hurt sales. Gov’t handed over a Ksh360 million Sencha tea factory to Kangaita Tea Factory to boost value addition and farmer incomes. Agriculture…
Tea farmers could receive lower bonuses due to weak export sales. KTDA blames the 0.8 per cent export levy for reducing demand for Kenyan tea. The agency wants the government to scrap the levy to protect farmers’ earnings. Tea farmers across the country could receive lower bonus payouts this year due to challenges affecting tea…
Tea farmers in Kericho County have called for the immediate withdrawal of a newly introduced 0.8 per cent tea levy, saying the charge will deprive earnings further at a time when they are already grappling with poor returns and mounting production costs. Speaking during the 104th Ushirika Day celebrations held at Kericho Primary School, the…
Panic has gripped Kenya’s tea sector following the implementation of a Sh2.28 per kilogram levy at the Mombasa Tea Auction, with farmers and factories warning of reduced bonuses and mounting unsold stock. Producers in the Mt Kenya region say the levy has disrupted the market, forcing buyers to shift to cheaper alternatives from Burundi, Rwanda,…
The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development has moved to dispel growing concerns over the proposed tea levy, insisting that farmers will not bear the cost and that all proceeds will be reinvested directly into the industry. Under the draft framework, tea exports will attract a levy of 0.8 per cent of the auction value…
The Tea Board of Kenya (TBK) has moved to address growing concerns over a new tea levy, saying the charge is designed to fund industry development programmes and ultimately raise returns for tea farmers across the country. In a press statement dated May 8, 2026, TBK Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Willy Mutai said the government…
