Orthodox tea gains momentum in Kenya 

The Mountain Journal  

More tea factories have ventured into the  installation of the orthodox tea processing  equipment focusing on  the expanded  market,  among other destinations.

already, more than 12 factories produce the much needed specialty tea.

 The tea growers affiliated to the 71 tea processing factories, approved venturing into the new market through allocating use of millions of  shiĺings.

KTDA factories of Rukuriri, Mungania, Njunu, Ngere and Ikumbi tea factories  will join  the league of the orthodox producers upon  launching of their plants expected later in the year.

 Last year, Benny Tea Industries  from China, assessed Munngania and Chebango tea factories  on production of orthodox tea specially  for the Chinese market.

KTDA Holding Chairman Enos Njeru said they were working in search of more markets  for the interest of the local farmers.

The Chinese market, he said, with a 1.5 billion population is a major market for the orthodox tea and other products.

“ We have been holding a series of meetings with the buyers  from different parts of the world but the Chinese are also interested in our orthodox tea,” said Njeru.

 According to the Tea Board of Kenya (TBK)  KTDA-managed factories that have diversified into processing orthodox tea to fetch higher international prices  Itumbe, Michimikuru, Kangaita, Imenti, Kiru, Thumaita, Gitugi, and Chinga.

 Other factories investing in or producing this specialty tea include Rukuriri, Kagwe, Kambaa, Ndarugu, and Siomo 

Peter Komore, a tea value chain expert, says the race to install the orthodox plants has been accelerated following the increasing demand in the international markets.

In Murang’a County, Kamore said  all the factories accounting for 40 percent of the country’s production are in the road map  to produce the orthodox tea.

Kiru tea factory emerged among the first  to venture into orthodox tea, as others followed to benefit from the returns.