Tea farmers across the country are breathing a sigh of relief following the arrival of a 30,000-metric-tonne consignment of subsidized fertiliser at the Port of Mombasa, ending months of delay that had threatened to derail production.
The fertiliser, to be sold at Ksh2,500 per 50kg bag, is part of the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) annual distribution program aimed at boosting yields and cutting farming costs for small-scale growers.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremony, KTDA National Chairman Geoffrey Chege Kirundi said the fertiliser will begin moving to factories next week. “This marks the start of several consignments. Another 33,000 tonnes have already left China, and 36,000 tonnes will follow within eight days,” he said.
Kirundi acknowledged that short rains had slightly slowed offloading but assured farmers that KTDA, together with the Kenya Ports Authority and logistics partners, was fast-tracking clearance to ensure timely distribution.
The arrival follows a 10-month legal dispute over procurement that significantly disrupted delivery timelines. “Court delays have now affected fertiliser supply three times in four years,” a KTDA official lamented, adding that the agency is seeking long-term solutions to avoid similar setbacks.
Farmers have welcomed the consignment, noting it will ease the burden of high input costs amid falling global tea prices.
Kenya’s tea sector has faced a turbulent year, with production dropping by 11.5 per cent between January and July 2025, largely due to prolonged dry spells and cold weather. According to the Tea Board of Kenya, total output stood at 322.29 million kilograms, down from 364.13 million kilograms last year.
At the Mombasa Tea Auction, sales and prices also dipped, though demand from Pakistan remained steady, accounting for 36 per cent of Kenya’s total tea exports.
