In Kenya, tea reigns as the primary source of agricultural income. The local industry seeks to increase value addition within the sector to enhance its export performance.
Strategic Partnership
Njeru Industries, a Meru-based specialty tea producer, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Chinese agribusiness Zonken Food and Agriculture. This agreement aims to improve the quality of tea produced by Njeru and increase exports to China.
As part of this partnership, Zonken Food and Agriculture will send Chinese tea experts to Kenya to train local partners on various methods and means to add value to the tea leaves.
Mutual Benefits and Knowledge Transfer
“We would like to use Chinese technology to produce higher quality tea in Kenya, which will be exported to China and other countries worldwide,” said William Zhuo, Chairman of the Kenya Chinese Chamber of Commerce. “This cooperation will promote knowledge and technology transfer between the two countries in the tea sector.”
“This partnership is timely,” added Henry Njeru, Managing Director of Njeru Industries. “The Chinese are now looking for black tea, and Kenya, the world’s leading producer, is well-positioned to meet this demand. It is essential for us to diversify our markets.”
Aligning with Kenya’s Value-Addition Strategy
The agreement between Njeru Industries and Zonken Food and Agriculture comes after the Kenyan government announced a five-year plan focused on value addition to increase the country’s tea exports.
China is the world’s largest tea consumer, absorbing 2 million tons annually, nearly 40% of the global total. In 2023, Kenya exported over $1.2 billion worth of tea to the international market, according to official data. This partnership aims to capitalize on China’s growing demand for black tea and strengthen Kenya’s position in the global tea market.