Rwandan tea is sweeter than Kenyan tea.
The land of a thousand hills grows not only sweeter but high-quality tea too and as a result buyer can’t have enough of them. During last year’s tea auction in Mombasa, Rwandan tea outperformed Kenya’s on the account of being high quality and registered increased demand from buyers.
“Rwandan tea normally fetches a good price at the auction because of good quality that results from best agronomical practices that they have invested in,” said one of the tea brokers.
“To them (Rwanda) quality is more important than the volumes that they bring at the auction,” he added.
A kilogramme of Rwandan tea on average fetched Sh287 compared to Kenya’s Sh262 in 2018, according to Data from Tea Directorate.
The Rwandan price, was, however, still way cheaper in 2018 than the previous year where it fetched a high of Sh323. Kenya’s tea also declined from Sh300 to Sh262 in 2018.
Rwanda, according to brokers at the auction, produces some of the best teas regionally, which attract a premium price from buyers at the auction.
Due to the high-elevated grounds where Rwanda tea grows, its strength, bright colour, flavour and consistency in manufacturing, its renowned all over the world as a superior beverage.
Over 72% of the cultivated area (9,071 ha) in Rwanda is situated in the high mountain areas with a good altitude of 1800m above sea level.
Over seven countries sell their tea through the weekly Mombasa auction, destined for the international market. The auction is managed by the East African Tea Traders Association.
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