Aasai

Agricultural Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has called on the worlds investors to distribute tea in Kenya for transportation to ensure greater value for their customers. 

Speaking at a North American tea conference in South Carolina, Kagwe praised the reputation of the Kenyan government for increasing tariffs on packaging equipment for agricultural products, thus making it cheaper. 

Additionally, he noted that the move allows Kenyan retailers to distribute tea to a source based on international market classification, provide direct products and shelves with new search, monitoring, and better returns to farmers. "Our government has also taken steps to make tea more competitive in international markets. We have removed tariffs on packaging equipment for agricultural products, allowing us to take care of tea." We have issued tariffs. "With the initial installation, we eliminate unnecessary costs, improve competition, and strengthen Kenyas position in the world tea market."

CS Kagwe also showed Kenyas leadership in world tea production, noting that the country produced 598.47 million kilograms in 2024, an increase of 4.95 percent from the previous year. 

The growth, stressed, was driven by good weather, fertilizer grant programs, and extended processing capabilities. In addition, Kagwe signaled the hybrid in Orthodox and special tea, boasting that Kenya is the only country in the world to make purple tea. 

He celebrated its health and antioxidant content, explained that purple orthodox tea takes three to four times the price of black tea, making it more profitable for farmers. "Kenyas creativity in tea not only earns the best income for farmers but also puts us forward in meeting the needs of world users," he added.

The Cabinet secretary emphasized the importance of TEAs environment and culture, describing it as a way of living and the crop that preserves the environment by preventing erosion, supporting bias, and subsequent carbon.

Kagwe accompanied the Kenyan CEO of CEO Willy Mutai, KTDA Chairman Geoffrey Kirundi, and its CEO Wilson Muthaura, as well as the Kenyan Ambassador to Merika, David Kerich.

He also highlighted Kenya’s Orthodox and specialty teas, including purple tea, produced at the Tea Research Institute, known as the only variety of its kind in the world. Orthodox purple tea is celebrated for its health benefits and antioxidant content. It fetches three to four times the price of black tea. “Kenyan innovation in tea not only generates better income for farmers but also puts us at the forefront in meeting the changing needs of global consumers,” he said.

 The CS stressed the environmental and cultural importance of tea, describing it as a livelihood and a crop that sustains ecosystems by preventing soil erosion, supporting biodiversity, and sequestering carbon. Kagwe concluded by encouraging the US market to embrace Kenya’s black, green, and purple teas, noting that quality will always find a market.