Other Key Bodies
in the Tea Industry

The Research Foundation of Kenya (TRFK)

Based in Kerich, the Foundation is the technical arm of the Tea Board of Kenya. Its main functions are to carry out research on the control of pests and diseases, improvement of planting material, husbandry, yields and quality.  The Foundation advises producers on the best clonal selection to suit the various ecological zones. So far the TRFK has developed over 45 well-adapted clones.

Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) Ltd.

The KTDA Ltd. was incorporated as a private company on July 1st 2000 to take over the role and functions of the former Kenya Tea Development Authority. The Agency advises smallholder tea farmers on the best method of tea growing, collects green leaf, processes and markets the tea on their behalf. Spread in all tea growing districts, the smallholder sub-sector accounts for over 60 per cent of total production from 54 registered tea factories serving over 400,000 growers..

Kenya Tea Growers Association (KTGA)

The Association was established in 1931 by large-scale tea producers to promote the common interests of the plantation sub-sector members in the cultivation and manufacture of tea and o promote good industrial relations and sound wage policies for the workers. Membership to the Association is open to growers who maintain over 10 hectares of tea.

Most large estate owners manufacture tea in their own factories while smaller estates and other out growers deliver leaf to existing tea factories.  The plantation sub-sector maintains 39 tea factories and accounts for about 40 percent of total production.

East African Tea Trade Association (EATTA)

The Association brings together tea producers, brokers, buyers and packers in Africa.  Its objective is to promote the best interest of the tea trade in Africa, by ensuring orderly marketing of tea, fostering relations within the trade and to collect and circulate statistical information necessary for members in their conduct of business.  According to the Rules of the Association, the dealing in tea are only permitted between members.

Top 20 Kenyan Tea Exporters

Kenya Tea Development Agency Ltd. (KTDA)
URL http://www.ktdateas.com
(Mr.Karima)

Kenya Tea Packers Ltd. (KETEPA)
URL http://www.ketepa.com
(Mr. J. Koech)

Unilever Tea Kenya Ltd.
URL http://www.unilever.com
(Dr. Norman Kelly)

James Finlay (Kenya) Ltd.
URL http://www.finlayusa.com/
(Mr. John K. Cheruiyot)

Eastern Produce Kenya Ltd.
URL: http://www.lintonpark.plc.uk
(Mr. S.D.A. Hutchinson - Nandi Office)

Gold Crown Beverages (K) Ltd.
URL: http://www.goldcrownfoods.com 
(Mr. Saif Ahmed)

Kenya Nut Co., Ltd.
URL: http://www.mmjp.or.jp/knc-macadamia/
(Ms. Esther Waruhiu)

Kikuyu Highland Tea Co., Ltd.
URL: http://www.kikuyutea.com/kikuyutea.htm
(Mr. Kimani Mbuthia)

Melvin Marsh International Ltd.
URL: http://www.melvinstea.com
(Ms. Flora Muthahi)

Rals Foods International
URL: http://www.ralsfoods.com/
(Ms. Clara Kathurima)

Tanjal Investments Ltd.

P.O. Box 88999, Mombasa, Kenya
Tel: 254-41-229021/316675 Fax: 254-41-316519
(Mr. Abdul Nassir Balala)