The Mountain Journal
editor@themountainjournal.co.ke
Kenya’s smallholder tea factories auctioned 5,633,128kgs, fetching Sh1.3 billion in the weekly sales at the Mombasa Tea Auction.
In the analysis, Mununga earned Sh 34,850,000, Gathuthi Sh31,812,218, Kiegoi Sh37,257,040, Rukuriri Sh40,318,560, Ndima Sh28,311,108,Gacharage Sh15,226,840, among others that achieved the best prices ranging between Sh 340 and Sh302 per kgs of The auction was held on April 1 and April 2.
In the market reports, Makomboki tea factory auctioned 173,904kgs, Ngere 167,532 kgs and Rorok 185,068kgs, were among the the factories that delivered the highest consignment.
The report indicated some of the murang’a based factories earned Gatunguru Sh27,396,603,Njunu Sh26,359,550, Sh Nduti 14,502,950.
Kapkaket tea factory was ranked the last after its tea was bought at Sh134 per kilogramme.
KTDA zone six director Enos Njeru pleaded with the growers to embrace production of quality grades that will attract the market.
“ In the top 10 list, Rukuriri, Kathangariri and Mungania factories featured after their farmers have continued in production of the quality tea,” said Mr Njeru.
In the west of the rift, Mumol factory fetched Sh 18,727,524 after the auction of 77,068kgs.
KTDA Zone two Director James Githinji said appreciated the tea farmers for the increased production of the commodity at the market.
“ More importantly is the farmers continued in plucking quality tea, that interests the buyers,” said Githinji, also the Ngere tea factory chairman.
At the same time, in the 13th sale, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda auctioned a total of 8,631,514 kgs, where Kenya presented 7,285,921 kgs from the KTDA factories and independent producers.
In the market that attracted 47 international buyers, Rwanda sold 625,956 kgs, Uganda 535,131 kgs, and Tanzania 184,506kgs.
The buyers were led by Global Tea who bought 24,440 kgs, Mombasa Coffee 13,380kgs, Aditya Birla 13,220 kgs, Mitchell Cotts 13,080 kgs, James Finlay 11,880 kgs .
