Kenya is now set to access Sudan’s tea Market after the three-year standoff between the two countries over the shelf life of tea was fully resolved, paving the way for increased shipments to one of Kenya’s main markets.
The Tea Board of Kenya says the two countries reached a consensus in 2021 after years of research, which established that tea has a shelf life of three years, coming as a boost to farmers.
“We resolved the matter last year and now our tea can access the Sudanese market without any difficulties,” said James Marete, TBK technical officer as quoted by Business Daily.
Tea export volumes to Sudan have not been optimum over the last three years after Khartoum raised concern over the long shelf life of Kenyan beverages. However, data from the TBK shows that tea volumes to Sudan jumped 62 per cent to 3.1 million kilogrammes against last year when Kenya shipped 1.9 million kilogrammes, making it the fifth-largest buyer of the commodity.
Tea takes about six months to reach Sudan as it has to go all the way to Cairo, meaning that with a shelf life of 18 months, the beverage would only have a year of the sell-by date when it gets to the country.
The TBK also said it is looking for new markets, especially in West Africa and diversifying to orthodox teas as the country seeks to cut reliance on the top 10 traditional markets, which account for more than 80 per cent of the total exports.
“There is a need to diversify our market and we are looking at other options, especially in Africa,” James Marete.
Read also; Tea Auction Records Slight Fall in Prices.
