Speaking during a press briefing at Iriani Tea factory in Nyeri, KTDA Chairman Peter Kanyago said farmers have produced 1.2 billion kilogrammes of green leaf compared to 931 million kilos during the same period last year.

At the same time, Mr Kanyago said that KTDA has a lot of stock for made teas stashed at the Mombasa warehouses which has increased by 78 per cent from 42.3 million kilogrammes to 75 million kilos as at last month.

“These buyers will definitely move to other tea producing countries that can make their tea according to their preferences,” he said

He further stated that the regulation that outlaws sale of tea directly to overseas buyers will not see farmers earn more.

Rather, there will be increased tea at the auction and with the rule of demand and supply in place, the move will see farmers earn even less,” Mr Kanyago said.

He further said the proposal that requires buyers to submit a performance bond equivalent to 10 per cent of the estimated tea value auction prior to the auction will push them to other tea producing countries.