Tea factories fetched Sh915 million during the weekly Mombasa tea auction through the sale of 2,448,238 kgs of tea. The auction price reflected an increase from the previous auction that generated Sh 767.5 million after the auction of 2.058 million kgs of made tea.
Kimunye tea factory achieved the highest price after the sale of 64,330 kgs in exchange for Sh27.3 million, as Theta followed suit with Sh26.8 million after the auction of 66,532 kgs of tea. KTDA Holding Chairman Enos Njeru said quality tea continued to fetch the best prices at the auction thus the need for the growers across the counties to embrace the same.
He said KTDA has deployed teams in the tea growing areas to ensure quality of tea is maintained through the value chain, “In the auction, Momul tea factory from west of rift earned Sh23,012, 142 for 65,614 kgs of tea, an indication that quality tea attracts the buyers. Momul factory is among the top 10 factorie, and achieved Sh23.6 million for the sale of 65,614 kgs of tea,” said Njeru.
The top 10 factories that achieved the best at the auction were Kimunye Sh27.3 million, Theta Sh26.8 million, Kagwe Sh24.6million, Ikumbi Sh24.2million, Kanyenya-ini Sh23.9million. Others are Igembe Sh23.9, Imenti Sh23.9, Mataara Sh23.7 million, Momul Sh23 million, Makomboki Sh22.9 million and Ngere Sh22.1 million.
Kanyenya ini tea factory was ranked in fourth position earning Sh23.9 million after the auction of 63,244 kgs of tea. The Kanyenya ini Factory Chairman Alex Macharia said production of quality tea is not negotiable and direct engagement with the stakeholders.
Mr Macharia said agriculture officers and Tea Board of Kenya (TBK) are sentising on 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 from the farms.
” 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 Mr Githinji.