The Mountain Journal
More tea factories have ventured into the installation of the orthodox tea processing equipment focusing on the expanded market, among other destinations.
already, more than 12 factories produce the much needed specialty tea.
The tea growers affiliated to the 71 tea processing factories, approved venturing into the new market through allocating use of millions of shiĺings.
KTDA factories of Rukuriri, Mungania, Njunu, Ngere and Ikumbi tea factories will join the league of the orthodox producers upon launching of their plants expected later in the year.
Last year, Benny Tea Industries from China, assessed Munngania and Chebango tea factories on production of orthodox tea specially for the Chinese market.
KTDA Holding Chairman Enos Njeru said they were working in search of more markets for the interest of the local farmers.
The Chinese market, he said, with a 1.5 billion population is a major market for the orthodox tea and other products.
“ We have been holding a series of meetings with the buyers from different parts of the world but the Chinese are also interested in our orthodox tea,” said Njeru.
According to the Tea Board of Kenya (TBK) KTDA-managed factories that have diversified into processing orthodox tea to fetch higher international prices Itumbe, Michimikuru, Kangaita, Imenti, Kiru, Thumaita, Gitugi, and Chinga.
Other factories investing in or producing this specialty tea include Rukuriri, Kagwe, Kambaa, Ndarugu, and Siomo
Peter Komore, a tea value chain expert, says the race to install the orthodox plants has been accelerated following the increasing demand in the international markets.
In Murang’a County, Kamore said all the factories accounting for 40 percent of the country’s production are in the road map to produce the orthodox tea.
Kiru tea factory emerged among the first to venture into orthodox tea, as others followed to benefit from the returns.
