Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has cautioned tea producers against engaging in tea hawking at the Tea Trade Center, warning that violators risk deregistration by the Tea Board of Kenya.
Speaking on Thursday after discussions with key industry stakeholders—including the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA), Kenya Tea Growers Association (KTGA), Independent Tea Producers (ITP), tea traders, and the East African Tea Trade Association (EATTA)—Kagwe emphasized the importance of compliance with Kenya’s minimum green leaf quality standards.
“The Tea Board of Kenya will deregister any stakeholders found engaging in tea hawking,” Kagwe asserted, underscoring that tea quality directly impacts pricing and market competitiveness.
He further announced that the Ministry will soon release official guidelines to enforce compliance.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to enhancing Kenya’s tea quality, Kagwe urged producers to uphold high standards to maximize profitability.
He also highlighted ongoing efforts to expand tea exports, particularly through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and noted that diplomatic avenues would be explored to resolve market access issues in Iran and Sudan.
In a related development, Kenya recently hosted over 50 Asian coffee importers from China and South Korea during the Africa Coffee Trade Fair 2025. The initiative aimed to position Kenyan coffee as a premium product in Asia’s specialty coffee sector.
Kagwe further disclosed that the East African Tea Trade Association (EATTA) is working to open Kenya’s tea auction system to global buyers, a move expected to enhance transparency and competitiveness within the sector.
Introduction of the Common Tea Market Development Fund
To support the tea industry, the government plans to establish a Common Tea Market Development Fund, financed through a proposed tea levy. This fund will be dedicated to marketing and expanding Kenya’s tea sector.
“We have new regulations, and next week I might gazette them. Among them is the introduction of a Common Tea Market Development Fund to assist in marketing and sector development,” Kagwe stated.
Additionally, the Ministry has proposed the formation of an Agricultural Police Unit to protect farmers and combat illegal activities affecting the industry.
Kenya’s tea industry has experienced significant growth, with exports rising by 9% in 2024 to Kes 215.21 billion, up from Kes 196.7 billion in 2023. Tea production also increased, reaching 598 million kilograms in 2024 from 570 million kilograms the previous year.
