The Kenyan Government has urged both the Tea Board of Kenya (TBK) and Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) to provide details of all unsold tea held at the Mombasa auction to avoid a possible delay in payments to farmers.

This is after reports indicated that 20 million kilograms of tea produced in 2023 and earlier remain unsold and are stored in Mombasa warehouses, accruing high warehousing charges.

Additionally, 95.2 million kilograms of fresh teas were unsold as of the end of June 2024

In a letter addressed to both KTDA and TBK by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, the information regarding stocks of unsold tea currently being held in Mombasa will enable the government to find a lasting solution arising from the surplus of the commodity in order to stabilize the industry.

“I request your Office to provide the following information on Shelf life of the unsold tea, Space occupied, Stocks of unsold tea currently being held in Mombasa, Lessors of the warehouses, and Who will ultimately bear the cost of ware – housing,” noted Mudavadi.

The Prime CS also demand – ed information regarding the level of KTDA’s indebtedness to the farmers per factory as of 30 June 2024.

“The accumulation of unsold tea hampers producers’ ability to pay farmers on time, significantly affecting their income.

This situation has resulted in accumulation of unsold teas at the auction, severely impacting prices and causing a market glut,” he added.

https://farmerstrend.co.ke/farming-news/impact-of-unsold-tea-on-kenyan-farmers-understanding-the-crisis/https://farmerstrend.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/agriculture-hilltribe-women_1150-7361.jpghttps://farmerstrend.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/agriculture-hilltribe-women_1150-7361-150x150.jpg2024-08-02T13:51:02+00:00FarmersTrendFarming NewsTea FarmingThe Kenyan Government has urged both the Tea Board of Kenya (TBK) and Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) to provide details of all unsold tea held at the Mombasa auction to avoid a possible delay in payments to farmers.This is after reports indicated that 20 million kilograms of tea...FarmersTrendjohn doefarmerstrend@gmail.comAdministratorFarmers Trend Ltd.