Tea factories earn Sh915.2 million from weekly auction

Mombasa tea auction sold tea worth Sh915.2 million in the last week’s sale where the buyers presented 2,448,238 kgs.

The auction price of produce from the 68 Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) managed smallholders factories reflected an increase from the previous auction that generated Sh767.5 million after the auction of 2.058 million kgs of made tea.

 In the auction, factories from east of the rift took the lead in selling their produce. 

Kimunye tea factory sold 64,330 kgs for Sh27.3 million, followed by Theta which earned Sh26.8 million from the auction of 66,532 kgs of tea.

KTDA Holding Chairman Enos Njeru said, Momul Tea Factory from west of rift earned Sh23,012,142 for 65,614 kgs of tea.

Njeru noted that Momul factory, emerged among the top 10 factories that achieved the best price of Sh23.6 million for its 65,614 kgs of tea .

“Quality tea continues fetching the best prices at the auction thus the need for the growers across the counties to embrace the same. KTDA has deployed teams in the tea growing areas  to ensure quality of tea is maintained,” he said.

Kanyenya ini Tea Factory was ranked fourth  earning Sh23.9 million after the auction of 63,244kgs of tea.

The Kanyenya ini Factory Chairman Alex Macharia said production of quality tea and direct engagement with the stakeholders is not negotiable.

Mr Macharia said agriculture officers and Tea Board of Kenya (TBK) are sensitising the farmers to ensure they pluck two leaves and a bud.

“The buying centres committees are vigilant to ensure quality is not compromised,” said Macharia.

Ngere Tea Factory Vice Chairman James Githinji said the stakeholders are focused on quality production of green leaf.

“The buyers are interested in the taste of the Kenyan tea and thus need the directors to encourage the farmers in plucking the quality green leaf,” said Githinji.