TEA NEWS

Williamson Tea Kenya (WTK) has demanded that the government processes its 99-year land leases, which have been delayed over a decade since constitutional changes replaced the 999-year system with the shorter tenure land titles.

Tea is globally one of the most popular and the lowest cost beverages, next only to water. It is consumed by a wide range of age groups in all levels of the society. It is said, more than 3 billion cups of tea are consumed daily worldwide. Tea is thus considered to be a part of the huge beverage market.

GOOD GENERAL DEMAND AT EASIER RATES BP1 : Best East KTDA dearer 4/9 cts with others easier up to 10 cts, West KTDA revised reserve limit selling 10 cts easier, Nandi steady to easier 3 cts, Limuru firm, Kericho easier 5/12 cts, best Uganda dearer 5 cts with plainer types easier 3/5 cts.

The message got immediate reaction and was highly debated but the fact remains that we have two choices, either to reduce tea consumption or increase home-grown tea production.

The market value of Limuru Tea has jumped to Sh1 billion after US-based private equity firm CVC Capital Partners made a takeover offer to the agricultural firm’s minority owners.

FAIRLY GOOD DEMAND AT IRREGULAR RATES BP1 : East KTDA mostly firm to dearer 2/16 cts with some types easier 2/10 cts, West KTDA mostly firm on reserve prices with many remaining unsold, Nandi irregularly easier 8/10 cts to dearer 4/10 cts, Limuru steady to easier 10/20 cts, selected Kericho firm to dearer 6/14 cts others easier 4/16 cts, Uganda steady to easier 2/14 cts.

Unilever Tea Kenya Ltd, which delisted from the Nairobi Securities Exchange in 2009 after its main shareholder, Brooke Bond, bought out minority shareholders, says the new buyers are not keen on delisting Limuru Tea.

VERY GOOD DEMAND WITH BUYERS FOLLOWING QUALITY BP1 : East KTDA dearer 4/15 cts, West KTDA firm to dearer 4 cts, Nandi dearer 3/12 cts, Limuru irregularly dearer 4 cts to easier 5 cts, Best Kericho dearer 4/8 cts with plainer types easier 5/9 cts, Uganda irregularly dearer 5/9 cts to easier 3/6 cts for plainer types.

The Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) is set to take over the operations of the second container terminal at the Port of Mombasa, after receiving approvals from a regional competition watchdog, but upon meeting tough conditions.

President Kenyatta Urges Kenya Tea Development Agency Holdings (KTDA) to Facilitate Increased Value Addition to Kenyan Tea

GOOD DEMAND FOR FIRST TIME PRINTED TEAS AT FIRM TO DEARER RATES WITH KTDA REPRINTS MOSTLY NEGLECTED

Kenya Union of Small Scale Tea Owners (KUSTO) in Tharaka Nithi has hailed the government’s reforms in the tea sector that has seen an increase in bonuses earned this year.