Tea prices take a hit even as dollar firms up against shilling

Tea Auction: A Tea taster and Tea trader David Mugambi samples tea flavors during a tea auction at the Mombasa tea trade center recently.PHOTO BY MAARUFU MOHAMED/STANDARD

Tea prices at the Mombasa auction started 2017 on a slow note to register a sharp drop compared to prices at the last auction of 2016.

According to data released by the African Tea Brokers (ATB), the highest price of the best Kenyan tea, also known as Best Broken Pekoe Ones (BP1s), this week ranged between $3.38 (Sh344.76) and $4.20 (Sh427.52) per kilo.