Gakuna Njima Castro’s Post

🇰🇪 🍵 The Kenyan government has committed roughly 7 million Euros to encourage value addition in the Kenyan tea sector. Rachel Wanyoike of Solidaridad East and Central Africa examines how the move positions Kenyan tea farmers for greater success. Read it here 👉 https://lnkd.in/gyZMFbB9 This strategic move will create jobs, increase earnings, and develop enterprises along the tea value chain. Currently, just 5% of Kenya’s tea is value-added, but this is expected to approach 50% by 2027.

#OpEd: Making the Case for Value Addition Among Kenyan Tea Growers 🇰🇪☕️ Rachel Wanyoike, Managing Director of Solidaridad East and Central Africa, examines how Kenya's tea industry is taking a leap forward with a government-backed initiative to enhance value addition. Smallholder farmers in the country stand to benefit greatly from this move, which promises increased incomes and job creation. By integrating value-added processes, Kenyan tea producers can tap into the growing global demand for specialty teas & health-oriented products. This shift has the potential to transform the sector and secure a more prosperous future for Kenyan tea farmers. Read more here https://lnkd.in/gyZMFbB9

The collaboration between Kenya, Lipton Teas and Infusions, and Browns Investments aims to elevate Kenya's tea industry through a KES 1 billion investment in community projects and initiatives like Lipton’s Tea Academy and a new fertilizer plant. This partnership, alongside government reforms, seeks to increase value-added tea exports from 5% to 50% by 2027, boosting export value to over USD 1.85 billion and benefiting smallholder farmers. Efforts include restoring key markets and leveraging trade frameworks like AfCFTA and ECOWAS. Despite immediate challenges, such as rising production costs and declining quality, these initiatives are expected to yield significant long-term benefits, positioning Kenyan tea for continued global success. https://lnkd.in/dQ3_4RkD

In the African avocado market, Kenya is facing increased fruit thefts due to the global rise in demand for avocados, signaling the country's significant role in meeting international market needs. Despite these challenges, the situation underscores Africa's growing importance in the global avocado trade 🥑 Additionally, Israel's robust harvest and rising demand in Europe highlight the expanding market opportunities for avocado exporters. This growth in demand can benefit African nations like Kenya and Zambia, which are also key players in the avocado market, potentially leading to increased investments and enhanced market presence for African avocados on the global stage 🌍 #AfricaAgribusiness #KenyaAvocado #GlobalDemand #AvocadoExport #AfricanTrade #AgricultureInvestment https://lnkd.in/d5kNMP-A

Kenyan tea: From quantity to quality Exciting potential for Kenyan tea! 🍵🌿 As the world's largest tea exporter, Kenya is considering a strategic shift from quantity to quality. This proposed move could revolutionize our industry by delivering better products for consumers and boosting farmer incomes. I've shared some thoughts on how we could work towards a more sustainable tea industry. We'd love to hear your perspectives on this idea. #KenyanTea #QualityMatters #SustainableTea #SustainableAgriculture #TeaIndustry https://lnkd.in/ePixR2-C

🌍 Kokoa Kamili’s legendary Tanzanian cocoa has arrived today in Amsterdam, and in less than 10 days, it will be ready for you. What makes Kokoa Kamili cocoa stand out? 💡 FLAVOUR-FULL: From a three-tier cascade fermentation process to sun-dried beans raked for uniformity, their meticulous methods result in spot-on flavours. 🌱 Farmer Network: With training, tools, and over 750,000 cocoa seedlings distributed to farmers since 2015, Kokoa Kamili works hard to strengthen their farmer community in Tanzania. 🔬 Genetics: Their beans are predominantly classic Trinitario with a touch of Neo-Nacional—rare genetics that deliver fruity, tropical, and chocolatey notes. 🏗️ Future-Focused: Their facility in Mbingu is scaling operations while maintaining their commitment to quality, sustainability, and innovation. Kokoa Kamili's dynamic team, led by founders Brian LoBue and Simran Bindra, has transformed Tanzanian cocoa, putting this origin on the map. Before Kokoa Kamili's intervention, Tanzanian cocoa was primarily sold to commodity exporters that prioritized volume over quality – which in today's market, having created the farmer network and high quality cocoa they do is even more remarkable! #TanzanianCacao #KokoaKamili #FineFlavorCocoa #CocoaExcellence #AmsterdamArrival de

Colombian Avocado export volume to the U.S. market continue to grow steadily. The Colombia Avocado Board is projecting 30 million pounds for Q4-2024. This would bring the total volume for 2024 to 95 million pounds, up from 30 million pounds in 2023.

James, we know that Kenya continues to record increase in crop. Reportedly African countries have taken initiative to increase tea areas incl Kenya. Kenya has witnessed 25% increase in tea production amid a surplus of at least 100 million kg. The precise amount of the surplus is unknown but it is estimated that KSh 32 billion worth of tea remains unsold. Unless major countries including India don't cut production & give emphasis on quality, the situation is unlikely to improve.

Interesting ideas about improving the future of the tea industry in Kenya. “Tea that meets fundamental quality expectations and ethical practices could receive the “Kenya Origin” mark of distinction. But the tea that achieves even higher quality levels and is grown with proven sustainable farming practices and ethical labour could receive a higher certification, such as “Kenya Origin Supreme”, which could fetch higher prices at auction…” I have many questions. What are the main export markets for Kenyan tea? Why is the author looking to Europe for direction when the fastest growing markets for Kenyan tea are elsewhere? Jem McDowall this is a topic right up your alley. I’m not sure if lack of standards is the problem we are trying to solve or if building on European requirements is the answer. I agree quality needs to improve and supply needs to match demand. However quality as we know it, is relative in the tea market and the purchasing power of consumers dictates what they consume. So we have to cater for different segments of the global market. Other than that, the invisible hand will eventually rebalance the scales as speculators come to their senses.

Hmm….”tea production has risen by 26% in the last ten years……the global tea market is projected to grow by 5.9% per annum (for the next 10 years - source FAO) Can’t the writer, let alone the FAO, see the problem with these two statements? Consumption is magically going to more than double its rate of growth? I don’t think it will. Actually, I know it won’t. Here are two facts, not FAO rabbits from a hat: black tea traded internationally (far more of a concern to Kenya than what is happening in China or India) is growing at an ABSOLUTE maximum of 0.75% each year while production has grown at 3.3% for ten years. Yes quality is of massive concern, particularly in western Kenya, but let’s not rely on overoptimistic fantasy disguised as policy. Kenya’s major markets are Pakistan, Egypt, Sudan, UK, Russia. Any economy/industry relying on that bunch of basket-case economies/markets should not be looking to make more tea, they should be looking for wholesale exit from tea into other crops. Sustainability for Kenya is 450-500,000tonnes of Rwanda/EoR KTDA level quality and land being used for alternate crops. Gender, ecology, regenagri, living wages etc are all in the inbox but they are moot until chronic oversupply is addressed.