Zonken Food and Agriculture Ltd, a Chinese firm, has signed an MoU with Njeru Industries Ltd, a tea processor in Meru County, Kenya, to enhance tea value addition and boost exports to overseas markets. This landmark agreement was signed during the Nairobi International Cultural Festival, underscoring China’s rich tea heritage and the potential for collaboration.
According to William Zhuo, chairman of the Kenya Chinese Chamber of Commerce, the MoU aims to bring Chinese tea technology to Kenya, enabling local partners to add more value to their tea products and enhance competitiveness in global markets, particularly in China.
“This partnership will foster knowledge and technology transfer between China and Kenya, transforming the tea subsector, which is a significant contributor to Kenya’s foreign exchange earnings,” Zhuo emphasized.
Henry Njeru, managing director of Njeru Industries Ltd., highlighted that the MoU will facilitate the exchange of skills and technologies necessary for adding value to Kenyan tea, making it more attractive to international buyers.
“We have a lot to learn from the Chinese market and our counterparts on how to produce and blend different tea varieties,” Njeru commented. “This partnership will open new markets for Kenyan tea, particularly in China, which is a major market for us.”
Joseph M’eruaki M’uthari, chairman of the Board of Directors at Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service, lauded the partnership for its potential to diversify and increase revenues from Kenya’s tea exports, benefiting smallholder farmers and revitalizing agro-processing in the country.
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