Rwandan tea continues to fetch top dollar at Mombasa Tea Auction

Rwanda's tea industry continues to flourish as the country's premium quality tea fetches top dollar at international auctions. Recently, at the Mombasa Tea Auction, one of the largest black tea auctions globally, the Gisovu Tea Company Limited from Rwanda secured the highest price of $5.48 per kilo. CNBC Africa spoke to Sophie Ingabire, Tea Value Chain Officer at the National Agricultural Export Development Board, about the success of Rwanda's tea sector. Ingabire attributed the superior quality of Rwandan tea to the country's favorable climate, high altitudes, and good farming practices. She emphasized that Rwanda's tea revenues have been steadily increasing due to high prices and growing export volumes. The target for tea exports in the upcoming year is set at $130 million, reflecting the industry's significant growth. However, challenges such as heavy rains in the region raise concerns about potential impacts on tea quality and production. While measures are being taken to mitigate these risks, the industry is focusing on training and incentivizing farmers to maintain high-quality standards. Despite the uncertainties posed by climate change, Rwanda's tea industry remains optimistic about sustaining its success in the global market.