Local coffee and tea farmers stand to earn more income as Australia promises to increase imports of the commodities. Australian High Commissioner to Kenya Luke Williams said discussions have been going on between the two countries on strengthening bilateral trade relationship.
“Australians have of late become more interested in Kenyan coffee and tea and thus the same has prompted my government to initiate talks with Kenya on how the volumes of coffee and tea can be increased from Kenya,” he said in an interview yesterday.
Kenya, he said is globally known for production of fine Arabica coffee that is highly sought after by other countries. “We are interested in importing more volumes of this high-quality coffee,” Williams added.
The envoy made the remarks during the launch of a two-day international agriculture conference on innovation, research and how funding can improve food security, productivity, and profitability in Africa in Nairobi.
The conference, whose theme is Cultivating Africa’s Future (CultiAF) –Enabling resilient, equitable and sustainable food systems is being attended by over 250 local and international delegates.
CultiAF, a food security project, was designed ten years ago by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR)
According to Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) coffee directorate, Australia is among the top 10 export destinations of Kenyan coffee after importing three per cent of the total clean beans shipping to various locations.
Production year
“Kenya exported to Australia 1,302 tonnes in the 2021/2022 production year earning local farmers Sh950 million, though the exports and value recorded was lower compared to Sh1.01 billion and 1,413 tonnes respectively in 2020/21 production year,” the directorate states in an annual report.
Tea traders exported to Australia 2,300 kilogrammes of clean tea in March 2023 compared to 2,300 kilogrammes the same period last year.
He added that Australia will increase her exports to Kenya of flowers and wheat over and above intensifying mining activities in Africa and Kenya in particular.
“As a country we have invested in the mining industry in a good number of African countries. Going forward we intend to deepen the same as part of enhancing our footprints in the region,” Williams said.
Livestock industry
He added that his country will assist Kenya to develop her livestock industry by sharing good lessons and technology.
“Our country has an advanced livestock industry and therefore we are ready to assist Kenya improve sub-sector in terms of new technology and information sharing. Soon we will initiate discussions with the cabinet secretary of agriculture and livestock development,” the envoy stated.
Kenya, he said, is leading in Africa in terms of students seeking education in Australia.
Kenya has shipped 2.68 metric tonnes of processed Kenyan tea to Australia. The maiden consignment of value-added tea under the Kenyan Brand “Akina” was flagged off by Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi at the Port of Mombasa early this year.
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