NAIROBI, Kenya- A German delegation is in Kenya for a week-long familiarisation tour of the country’s orthodox tea industry, a move aimed at strengthening trade relations and increasing tea imports from Kenya into the European market.
The visit began at Gatura Greens in Gatanga, Murang’a County, a farm renowned for its production of purple tea.
There, the delegation was taken through the entire tea value chain, from cultivation and harvesting to processing and packaging, offering a close-up view of Kenya’s production systems.
Officials said the tour is designed to give German buyers firsthand exposure to Kenya’s tea-growing practices, quality assurance systems and innovative tea varieties.
A German delegation is in Kenya for a week-long familiarization tour of the Orthodox tea industry in a move that is aimed at deepening trade ties and boosting tea imports from Kenya.The team kicked off their visit at Gatura Greens in Gatanga, Murang’a County,a purple tea
Purple tea, which is rich in antioxidants and increasingly popular in niche global markets, was highlighted as an example of Kenya’s growing diversification beyond traditional black tea.
Kenyan authorities are using the engagement to position the country as a reliable supplier of high-quality, sustainably produced tea, while also fostering direct relationships with potential importers and distributors from Germany.
The approach is expected to support greater value addition and improve market access for Kenyan tea producers.
“The focus is not just on volumes, but on quality, sustainability and long-term partnerships,” officials familiar with the programme said, noting that European consumers are increasingly demanding traceable and ethically produced products.
The Kenyan delegation is led by Peter Chege, Head of the Tea Value Chain at the State Department for Trade, while the German team is headed by Maximilian Wittig, Secretary General of the German Tea and Herbal Infusion Association.
The Ministry of Trade said the tour is expected to open new export opportunities, deepen cooperation with European buyers and reinforce Kenya’s position as a leading global tea producer, particularly in the growing orthodox and specialty tea segments.
The delegation will continue visiting selected tea farms and processing facilities across the country during the week-long programme.
