The country’s tea output and export earnings rose last year, helped by good weather and by sales to new markets, which cushioned its sector from a drop in world prices.
The Tea Board of Kenya said earnings rose 2 percent to 114.4 billion shillings ($1.3 billion), while total output jumped 17 percent to a record 432.4 million kg.
In a statement the board said the Total export volumes rose to 494.3 million kg, including sales of stocks carried over from the previous year, when export volumes were 430.2 million kg.
.”Owing to good weather conditions that were mostly experienced in the first half of the year, cumulative production for the year 2013 was significantly higher,” the board said in a statement.
The value of exports dropped to $2.68 per kg from $3.09 per kg in 2012 due to a supply glut and disturbances in major markets.
“Kenya tea was exported to seven new markets that included Vietnam, Philippines, Azerbaijan, South Sudan, Myanmar, South Korea and the Czech Republic,” the board said.
“In addition, recent markets such as Angola as well as seasonal markets such as Syria, Taiwan and Chad imported higher volumes compared to the previous years.”
Leading buyers for Kenya’s tea were Pakistan, Egypt, Afghanistan, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates, which together bought 74 percent of the total exports.
Local tea consumption rose to 26.5 million kg from 22.7 million kg, the board said.
AUTHOR: BEN GUMO