Editor's Review

The discussions were a follow-up of President Ruto's recent visit to China.

Kenya has launched negotiations with China aimed at expanding market access for Kenyan tea in the Asian country.

On Tuesday, May 13, President William Ruto met with Fuzhou Benny Tea Industries Chairman Zhang Chaobin to explore ways of increasing the presence of Kenyan tea in the vast Chinese market.

“As a follow-up of the recent State Visit to the People’s Republic of China, President William Ruto met Fuzhou Benny Tea Industries Chairman Zhang Chaobin on Tuesday to discuss ways of increasing access of Kenyan tea to the Chinese market,” the State House said in a statement.

The high-level talks also included key players from Kenya’s tea sector, such as officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA), and the Kenya Tea Board. 

File image of William Ruto's meeting with Fuzhou Benny Tea Industries officials

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According to State House, the discussions were part of a broader strategy by the Kenyan government to boost growth, packaging, and export of orthodox and specialty teas to international markets.

“Focus on expansion of markets for Kenyan produce underlines President Ruto’s strategic push to boost growth, packaging and export of orthodox and specialty teas in overseas markets,” the statement added.

State House explained that Benny Tea Industries is among the top three companies in China’s tea production and retail supply chain.

The company specializes in refined specialty teas and is now looking to source a significant portion of its annual orthodox tea requirement directly from Kenya.

“The chairman also committed to invest in modern orthodox tea production factories in selected tea-growing counties, as well as improving value addition of Kenya’s orthodox tea,” State House said.

In addition to tea, Kenya is also seeking to expand exports of other agricultural products including coffee, avocado, and macadamia to the Chinese market.