Kenya halts Rainforest Alliance certification for tea factories over high costs, limited farmer benefits
The government suspends costly certification scheme, citing minimal gains for tea farmers and increased production expenses.
KENYA – Kenya has suspended the Rainforest Alliance certification and audit processes for all tea factories in the country, citing high costs and limited tangible benefits to farmers.
The move, announced through a circular issued by Agriculture Principal Secretary Paul Ronoh, is aimed at alleviating the financial burden on smallholder tea producers.
According to the statement, the government is concerned that the expenses associated with maintaining the certification have largely fallen on tea factories and, by extension, on farmers.
Ronoh stated that the costs should be absorbed by end consumers who demand certified products, rather than by growers who gain little in return.
The decision to suspend the certification scheme follows a high-level consultative meeting involving the Tea Board of Kenya, the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA), and Rainforest Alliance representatives from Kenya and the broader region.
Participants agreed that the certification system had not demonstrated sufficient positive impact to justify the financial pressure it placed on producers.
All tea factories have now been instructed to halt any ongoing or upcoming audits and certification procedures related to the Rainforest Alliance standard. The suspension is to remain in place pending a further joint resolution on the matter.
The government’s decision aligns with broader efforts to ease the cost of doing business in Kenya’s tea industry, which has faced persistent challenges due to high production expenses and poor earnings among farmers.
Authorities have previously raised concerns that such overheads reduce competitiveness and profitability for small-scale producers.
The Rainforest Alliance, a global non-profit organisation, promotes sustainable agriculture and business practices through its certification programme. Farms and factories that meet its standards are allowed to use the Rainforest Alliance seal, often helping them access premium international markets.
However, critics argue that the cost of compliance is too high for many producers, particularly in developing countries.
While certification is intended to improve environmental sustainability and worker welfare, the actual financial return for smallholder farmers has remained questionable.
The Rainforest Alliance operates in more than 70 countries, with Kenya being one of its major tea certification markets.
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