Tea Farmers Urged to Enhance Quality to Access Better Markets

In Summary

• Tea Board of Kenya (TBK) CEO Willy Mutai urges farmers to improve tea quality for global competitiveness.
• Kenya earned KSh 180 billion from tea exports in 2024, with smallholders contributing over 60%.
• Tea Quality Validation Report shows 15% improvement in premium-grade tea since 2023.
• Farmers encouraged to adopt better plucking and processing techniques.
• Government and county programs supporting reforms, subsidies, and direct sales.
• Stakeholders call for more research and training to sustain progress.

Kenya’s small-scale tea farmers have been urged to focus on improving quality to unlock new international markets and raise earnings, according to Tea Board of Kenya (TBK) CEO Willy Mutai.

Speaking at a tea stakeholders’ consultative meeting in Mombasa, Mutai said the 2025 Tea Quality Validation Report shows encouraging progress but warned that global competition requires consistent improvements.

“The findings of the report are impressive, and we commend farmers for their efforts. But quality must remain our focus if we are to compete globally and increase incomes,” Mutai said.

Quality key to higher earnings

Kenya, the world’s third-largest tea exporter, earned KSh 180 billion from exports in 2024, with smallholder farmers contributing more than 60% of the 550,000 metric Tonnes produced, TBK data shows. Key markets include Pakistan, Egypt, and the UK, though competition from Sri Lanka and India remains strong.

Mutai stressed that premium tea commands higher prices internationally. He called on farmers to adopt better plucking and processing practices, such as the selective picking of “two leaves and a bud” and timely delivery to factories. TBK is rolling out training to support farmers in applying these techniques.

Farmer perspectives

Some farmers welcomed the call but raised concerns over affordability of inputs and access to training.

“We want to improve quality, but we need more affordable inputs and training to do so,” said Jane Wanjiku from Murang’a.

Others expressed optimism.

“Better quality means better pay. I’ve seen my earnings rise after following TBK’s guidelines,” said Peter Kimani, a farmer from Kericho.

Reforms and county support

The TBK, together with the Ministry of Agriculture, is implementing Tea Industry Reforms launched in 2023. These include factory upgrades, subsidized fertilizers, and direct sales channels that reduce reliance on the Mombasa Tea Auction. Direct sales rose to 30% of exports in 2024, up from 20% in 2022.

County governments in tea-growing regions are also contributing. In Kericho, Agriculture Executive John Mosonik said over 10,000 farmers have been trained in quality plucking since 2024, with plans to distribute 5 million seedlings by 2026.

Progress and challenges ahead

The 2025 Tea Quality Validation Report recorded a 15% increase in premium-grade tea from smallholder farms compared to 2023. Improvements were attributed to better farming practices and factory modernization.

Stakeholders at the meeting urged further investment in research and extension services to sustain momentum.

With global demand for premium tea growing, TBK says the future looks promising if farmers maintain focus on quality. Mutai emphasized that sustained improvements will safeguard the livelihoods of over 600,000 small-scale tea farmers across the country.