Low prices, market access brew storm for EA tea industry

Tea export.

A worker packs tea for export in Mombasa. Key markets for the region’s tea are not fully opened. PHOTO | FILE

East Africa’s tea sector is threatened by underperformance as its two key markets – Russia and Ukraine – remain closed.

Observers worry that besides dealers not fully harnessing the quality of tea produced in the region, they are now going slow on production fearing it would lead to a glut that would push down prices that have been recovering after a pandemic slump.