By Faith
Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has called on tea exporters and investors to prioritize packaging in Kenya, saying the strategy will boost freshness, enhance traceability, and deliver better returns to farmers.
Speaking during the North America Tea Conference in South Carolina, Kagwe revealed that the government had removed taxes on packaging materials for agricultural products in a bid to promote value addition at the source.
He pointed out that handling packaging locally not only cuts down costs but also ensures exporters meet international shelf ready requirements.
“By packaging at origin, we eliminate unnecessary costs, improve competitiveness, and strengthen Kenya’s position in the global tea market,” Kagwe told delegates.
The CS was accompanied by Tea Board of Kenya CEO Willy Mutai, KTDA Chair Geoffrey Kirundi, KTDA CEO Wilson Muthaura, and Kenya’s Ambassador to the U.S. David Kerich.
Kagwe also highlighted Kenya’s strong performance in the global tea industry, noting that production rose to 598.47 million kilograms in 2024, a 4.95 percent increase from the previous year. He credited the growth to favourable weather conditions, subsidised fertiliser distribution, and expanded processing capacity.
He further spoke about Kenya’s diversification into orthodox and speciality teas, with purple tea standing out as a unique innovation from the Tea Research Institute. The variety, exclusive to Kenya, is valued for its high antioxidant content and health benefits, often fetching up to four times more than black tea.
“Kenya’s innovation in tea not only secures better earnings for farmers but also places us ahead in meeting shifting global consumer demands,” Kagwe said.
He also stressed the cultural and environmental role of tea, describing it as a crop that sustains livelihoods while supporting ecosystems through soil conservation, biodiversity, and carbon storage.
Kagwe wrapped up his remarks by encouraging the U.S. market to embrace Kenya’s range of teas including black, green, and purple, affirming that “quality will always find a market.”
