Kenya’s tea industry is poised for major reforms following the unveiling of new draft regulations aimed at enhancing transparency, quality, and farmer earnings.

The new rules seek to resolve long-standing grievances among smallholder farmers, including delayed payments, opaque pricing structures, and inconsistent leaf quality across different regions.

The regulations will introduce clear payment timelines to safeguard farmers’ cash flow. The Act stipulates that 50 percent should be paid to farmers upfront, and the balance within three months.

The reforms also prioritize value addition, with a target of ensuring that at least 40 percent of Kenya’s tea is value-added locally rather than exported in bulk form.

Source: Citizen Digital (Extracts), Courtesy: Tea Exporters’ Association Sri Lanka