Kenyan Tea Shed Off 10,000,000 Kilos In The Month of July

Covid-19 restrictions dealt a huge blow on Kenya’s tea sector after it lost at lest 10 million kilos during the month of July.

According to the regulator, the drop in the tea was occasioned by a drop in the demand of the green leaf. However, the drop in demand also increased prices for the commodity.

The tea volumes for the month of July dropped to 36.5 million kilos from 46.3 million kilos recorded the previous month. The drop has been attributed to the cold season that dominated the better part of the month.

The month of August is expected to have an increase even as the Directorate prepares to release the data.

Tea is among Kenya’s leading exports and been hailed for earning the country revenue that is next to the horticulture sector.

“The decline in volumes follows a significant reduction in output in most tea growing areas due to continued cold weather,” said the directorate.

For years, farmers had been complaining of exploitation by middlemen who would buy their tea a low prices, only to sell it at high prices during an auction.

President Uhuru Kenyatta ordered tea farmers to be paid well and on time and warned any official who will exploit them of dire consequences.