Tea players raise red flag over climate change and double taxes in tea sector

Climate change and high taxes are likely to affect tea earnings in future and thus contribute to decrease of Kenya share in the global market, government and industry key players have warned.
Even though the sector earned the country Sh125.25 Billion from export in 2015, recording the highest ever export earning of the year, a 25 per cent tax imposed on Tea has meant less money in the farmer's pocket.

There is also growing concern that the crop may face serious challenges in the global market owing to management of the value chain.
The CS Agriculture Willy Bett raised a red flag that climate change will pose a threat to tea production in the Country adding that tea players should come up with a better strategy to save the industry further.
Addressing tea stakeholder forum at city hotel in Nairobi  Monday , Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Cabinet Secretary CS Bett assured tea farmers that the government will put measures to mitigate major problems affecting Kenya tea industry.