NAIROBI, Kenya, Sept 8 – Kenya is inviting U.S. firms to package tea at origin, arguing that local processing enhances freshness and traceability.
Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe told American investors that packaging tea for export within Kenya is cheaper and guarantees higher value for both producers and buyers.
He announced that the government has removed taxes on packaging materials for agricultural products.
The move, he said, allows Kenyan exporters to package tea at source in line with international market specifications, delivering direct-to-shelf products with assured freshness, traceability, and better returns for farmers.
“By packaging at origin, we eliminate unnecessary costs, improve competitiveness, and strengthen Kenya’s position in the global tea market,” Kagwe told delegates at the North America Tea Conference in South Carolina.
Kagwe is currently leading a week-long trade mission in the U.S. His delegation includes Tea Board of Kenya CEO Willy Mutai and KTDA Chair Geoffrey Kirundi, among other officials.
Last year, the country produced 598.47 million kilograms of tea, a 4.95 percent increase from the previous year, supported by favorable weather, subsidized fertilizer programs, and expanded processing capacity.
“Kenya’s innovation in tea not only secures better earnings for farmers but also places us ahead in meeting shifting global consumer demands,” he added.
