Tea production drops by 6.3 percent in three months

Delayed rains across the tea-growing belts have contributed to reduced production of green leaf, a trend that will accelerate further if the situation turns to the worse.

The factories are managed by KTDA and have reported a reduction of 6.3 percent in three months, forcing them to work below their capacity.

In the period between July and September this year, they recorded 212 million kgs of green leaf, compared to 225 million kgs in the same period last year.

Globally, the trend is taking its toll, with factories in Kiambu having recorded a 21.8 percent decline, followed by Kisii with 10.4 percent; Lower Murang’a of Gatanga, Kigumo and Kandara reflected a loss of 10.3 percent, Meru 9.2 percent, Nyamira 7.3 percent, among others.

The least affected counties are Kirinyaga with 0.9 percent, Nyeri 2.6 percent, and Embu 6.6 percent.

Factories that have registered a sharp decline in production are Kagwe, 32. 6 percent, Theta 31.2 percent, Nduti 23.7 percent, Kobel 22.7 percent, Kiegoi 21.8 percent, Weru 21.6 percent, and Kanyenya ini 20.5 percent.

In 2024, in the same period, the farmers produced 250 million kgs of green leaf, compared to 260 million kgs in 2023.

Also affected by effects of climatic change are the multinational companies managing tea estates in Kiambu County and parts of the Rift Valley forced to reduce the workforce owing to the reduced output.

A report from KTDA corporate department indicates that delayed rains and extreme cold in the three months worsened the situation, which impacted reduced volumes available for sale through direct sales overseas or Mombasa Tea Auction.

“The impact on the 650,000 farmers affected, causing a cut in the factory output, affects the available tea for marketing,” read part of the report posted on social media handles.

The farmers across the counties reported having failed to apply the provided fertilizers owing to lack of enough rain.

According to the data provided, factories in Kiambu County are hard hit by the reduced green leaf production, compared to the available made tea supplied to the market.

James Mugo, a farmer in Kirinyaga, says he was forced to store the fertilizers provided by the KTDA owing to a lack of enough rain to support the application as recommended by the agriculture extension officers.

“ The production of green leaf has declined following the effect of the climatic change, hoping the situation will improve with the expectation of the El Niño rains,” said Mr Mugo.

Reports from tea auctions also affirm the reduced supply of the commodity at the market, with this week the factories offering 2,656,230 kgs, compared to the previous 2,712,903 kgs.

The EATTA report reflects that in September, the factories supplied 10.1 million kgs, and in October to date they have sold 8.2 million kgs through the Mombasa Tea Auction.

EATTA Managing Director George Omuga says with the reduced supply drops the demand for the premium tea is on the rise.

“ At the tea market, between July and September, the prices for the premium teas have appreciated owing to the increased demand compared to the supply from the processors,” said Mr Omuga.