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Kenya Tea Industry Celebrates A Century Of Growth And Transformation
Kenya’s tea industry, a cornerstone of its agricultural and economic landscape, celebrates a century of growth and transformation.
What started in 1903, with the planting of the first tea bush by G.W.L. Caine, has become one of the world’s leading exporter of black tea.
Kenyan tea is now a symbol of national pride, shaping cultural, social, and economic dynamics across the country.
Kenya Tea Industry Celebrates A Century Of Growth And Transformation
The industry supports over
600,000 farmers and impacts approximately 6.5 million Kenyans, contributing 2% to the national GDP and 4% to agricultural GDP.
In honor of 100 years of tea production, two major events are planned to highlight the historical significance, economic impact, and future prospects of Kenyan tea:
Heritage Week at Karatina University from 6th to 8th November 2024
This will focus on the cultural, historical, and social aspects of Kenyan tea.
Situated in a region renowned for its agricultural heritage, Karatina University will host a series of activities designed to engage the local community, academia, and tea
stakeholders in exploring the journey of tea over the past century.
Key Activities:
✓ Tea History Exhibition
✓Educational Tours
✓Tea Tasting
✓Workshop and Panels
✓Youth Outreach
Heritage Week aims to showcase tea as more than just a beverage, positioning it as a symbol of national identity and sustainable development.
Kenya Tea Industry Celebrates A Century Of Growth And Transformation
The Kenya Tea Summit from 14th to 16th November 2024 in Mombasa
This will bring together key players from across the global tea industry to reflect on Kenya’s 100 years of tea production and strategize for the future.
The summit will focus on enhancing tea quality, market competitiveness, and sustainability in the industry.
Key Activities:
✓ Tea Industry Conference/Symposium
Two days of discussions covering topics such as:
Evolution of Kenya’s tea industry.
Climate change, sustainability, and market dynamics.
Branding strategies and overcoming non-tariff barriers.
Empowering smallholder farmers and expanding Kenya’s global
tea market presence.
Summit Fee: $300 locals $350 international guest
The summit will officially be opened by H.E. Dr. William Samoei Ruto
✓Trade Exhibition
o A showcase of diverse tea products from Kenya and other tea-producing nations, including interactive booths from tea companies, packers, machinery manufacturers, and auxiliary service providers.
Exhibition Fee: $250
✓ Tea Industry Awards Gala Dinner
Celebrating excellence in the tea sector with awards such as:
Tea Classes Competition
Specialty Tea Competition
Tea Masters Cup
Lifetime Achievement Award
The Kenya Tea Centenary Celebrations mark a pivotal moment in the country’s history.
As one of Kenya’s top foreign exchange earners, tea plays a crucial role in
national development, supporting both devolution and Vision 2030.
These celebrations will serve as a platform to recognize tea’s immense contributions to Kenya’s socioeconomic fabric, while also focusing on future sustainability and growth.
The Tea Board of Kenya looks forward to welcoming stakeholders, enthusiasts, and the global tea community to participate in this historic event.
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