Rukuriri tea factory embraces value addition to boost consumption, farmer income
The Embu-based factory has introduced black, ginger and lemon teas bearing Kenya’s Mark of Origin as it targets higher local consumption and international markets.
KENYA – Kenya’s Rukuriri Tea Factory has launched three value-added tea products as it seeks to expand into international markets and improve earnings for smallholder tea farmers.
The Embu-based factory introduced Premium Kenyan Black CTC Tea, Premium Kenya Ginger Tea and Premium Kenya Lemon Tea, with all three products carrying Kenya’s Mark of Origin.
Launching the products, Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) National Chairman Enos Njeru said the new brands reflected farmers’ efforts to produce quality green leaf. Rukuriri is among KTDA-managed factories that have acquired tea-bag packaging equipment to increase production of value-added tea.
Njeru said the Mark of Origin would support efforts to market Kenyan tea in international markets and urged greater consumption of locally produced tea.
“It is a prayer by the local tea farmers to President William Ruto to issue a directive to the public offices to consume local tea, as part of increasing consumption,” he said.
He also called on supermarkets, hotels, public offices and private companies to stock Kenyan tea.
“The KTDA managed tea factories should embark on innovation of tea products and identifying the markets,” Njeru said, adding that the initiative would be extended to Mungania and Kathangariri tea factories in Embu County.
Rukuriri Factory Chairman Joseph Rwanjau said the factory would soon launch its orthodox tea, targeting both domestic and international markets.
“At Rukuriri, we are working towards increasing the local consumption of tea, with the expectation to hit 30 percent of the production up from five percent,” Rwanjau said.
The launch follows Kenya’s plans to strengthen the identity of its tea in international markets. In 2024, the government announced plans to collaborate with a UK-based company to develop a distinct Kenyan tea brand for global markets.
President William Ruto had also emphasised the need for Kenya to establish a unique tea brand with a Mark of Origin to distinguish Kenyan tea in the global marketplace.
Kenya earned a cumulative KES55 billion ($424.02 million) from tea exports during the first six months of 2026. Auction records show that Kenyan tea fetched an average price of $2.28 per kilogramme across the first 24 auction sales of the year.
Rukuriri’s product expansion comes as Kenya seeks to increase domestic consumption, promote value addition and strengthen the market position of its tea products locally and internationally.
Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.
