Kenya’s tea earnings likely to decline in 2017

This man spotted at a farm where 7000 tea bushes sitting on one and half acres were uprooted at Ragati Village in Mathira Nyeri County on September 20, 2016 to pave the way for rental houses. The crop is facing many challenges which have made returns go down PHOTO: KIBATA KIHU/STANDARD

Kenya's tea earnings for the 2016/2017 financial year are likely to drop following prolonged dry spells that led to depressed tea output. Kenya Tea Development Agency Holdings Chairman, Peter Kanyago, said that global tea prices have remained relatively low compared to the previous year leading to reduced net earnings.

"While there are still a few months remaining in the year, there is a slim likelihood that we shall beat last year's record," said Kanyago.