Call to explore new tea markets

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Felix Koskei wants Kenya to explore new global tea markets for the increasing supply in order to secure better prices.

Speaking at the National Tea Stakeholders meeting on national tea policy in Nairobi yesterday, Mr Koskei said time was ripe to go beyond the traditional five markets. 

“This will put the country in an advantageous position to influence global tea prices in its favour,” said Koskei, adding that “with the expansion of our markets, the country will be shielded from world shifts and market dynamics, the dangers usually associated with singular market trends”.

The Cabinet Secretary similarly advised that the cash crop should be used for more than just its beverage value since it has the potential to be processed into diverse products such as caffeine-based medicine.

He further asked tea farmers to stop over-relying on tea as the only cash crop.