VOICED : Kenya tea producers turn over a new leaf as prices stumble

Kenya's tea industry is facing challenges as traditional black tea prices fall. To adapt, the industry is diversifying into orthodox teas, similar to those produced in Sri Lanka, to enter new markets like Russia. This shift involves retraining workers and changing production methods, which is costly and challenging. Despite these efforts, orthodox teas still make up a small fraction of exports. Critics argue that the Kenya Tea Development Agency has been slow to adapt, with only a few factories producing orthodox tea by 2019.

What has been the traditional method of tea production in Kenya?

• Steaming and rolling the leaves

• Roasting and grinding the leaves

• Fermenting and drying the leaves

• Curing and shredding the leaves

Why is Kenya shifting towards producing orthodox teas?

• To enter new markets and stabilize prices

• To reduce production costs

• To improve the quality of existing products

• To comply with international regulations

What is a key characteristic of orthodox tea production?

• It involves a faster process

• It preserves the leaf for a more flavorful result

• It uses more machinery

• It requires less labor

What has been a major challenge in the shift towards orthodox teas?

• High production costs and changing work culture

• Insufficient raw materials

• Limited technological advancements

• Lack of market demand

By the end of 2019, how many of Kenya's factories were expected to produce orthodox tea?

• All 69 factories

• None of the factories

• Eleven factories

• Twenty factories