Tea factories make Sh 654 million at the auction

The Mountain Journal

editor@themountainjournal.co.ke

As there is anxiety on the bonus payment, the KTDA management  tea factories during the weekly auction made Sh 654.1 million at the auction after the sale  2,771,755kgs.  

The payment was less compared to the Sh730 million of the previous week.

The report by the Bicorn Exim Limited (Tea Brokers)detailed that factories that achieved the premier prices were Mununga fetched Sh16.5 million after the sale of  46,785kgs, Gacharage Sh5.6 million (16,720kgs) ,Imenti Sh 12.1 million (35,913kgs), Kimunye Sh 14.5 million (43,792kgs), Mungania Sh7.8 million (23,520kgs),

Others were  Ndima Sh7.3 million (22,240kgs), Rukuriri Sh 9.9 million ( 30,435kgs),  Ngere Sh 9.8 million (29,972kgs) , Njunu Sh 9.1 million (30,954kgs),  Gatunguru  Sh7.8 million(26,798kgs), Nduti Sh 8.9 million (32,132kgs).

The report indicated that  69 factories participated in the market out of 70, where  in the west of rift, Momul  Sh24.2 million(101,645kgs)and Nyankoba Sh 9 million (42,000kgs) took the lead in achieving the better prices for their tea at the auction. 

“Rorok achieved the lowest price of Sh169 per kilogramme  for the 11,390 kgs that were offered at the auction,” reflected part of the report. 

Momul, Tirgaga and Kapko tea factories  from the west of the rift offered the highest volumes of  101,645kgs, 118,629kgs and  109,560 kgs respectively.

Ngere factory Chairman Mr James Githinji said  despite the low prices offered at the auction, the farmers continued adhering to the best farm management standards.

 “ There is a need for the government to support the sector through exploration of the new markets to absorb  the increased Kenya’s tea,” said Githinji. 

KTDA Zone 6 Board Member Enos Njeru said growers in Embu have continued in the production of the tea of the best product for the local and the international markets. 

” Over the years, the farmers owing to their continued attendance to the education sessions convened by the agricultural experts  achieve the best in the market,” said Mr Njeru.  

Tea value chain expert Peter Komore says despite the low prices being offered at the auction, Kenya tea has continued to attract major buyers around the globe.

“This year, factories have moved around the countries to search  for markets through direct sales, as the prices at the auction remained low,” said Kamore.