By MTK Reporter
Publicly listed agribusiness firm Kakuzi limited has added quality tea loose-leaf packets to its growing list of domestic sales products.
As part of an ongoing products-and-markets diversification strategy to boost its earnings, Kakuzi has now introduced a quality loose-leaf tea brand, available in 250 g and 500 g packs.
Speaking when he confirmed the launch of the tea product branded as Kakuzi Pure Black Tea, Kakuzi Plc Managing Director, Mr Chris Flowers, said the ongoing diversification strategy prioritises the development of quality consumer products for local consumption.
As part of the business development plans, Kakuzi disclosed, is enjoying steady growth as domestic sales of products begin to contribute positively to the balance sheet, complementing the firm’s flagship Avocado and Macadamia exports.
The Kakuzi business growth and diversification plan, he said, is firmly anchored in positively contributing to the development and promotion of locally produced, quality, value-added products. All the products, he assured, are benchmarked against export-grade standards.
“This is the first time in our history that we are delivering a quality tea brand for the local market, sourced from our Kaboswa Tea Estate in Nandi County,” Mr Flowers said. He added, “Kenyans will enjoy quality export-grade Kakuzi tea leaves in convenient consumer packs.”
By packaging the locally processed and blended tea leaves for local sale, Kakuzi, he explained, is working to mitigate export-only risks for its tea produce as international tea trade fortunes dwindle.
Alongside Kakuzi Pure Black Tea, Kakuzi has, in recent years, launched quality ready-to-eat Macadamia, Cold Dressed Macadamia Oil, and Blueberry products to the local market. These products are available at selected retail outlets, Kakuzi Farmers Market along the Nairobi-Nyeri Highway, and online at the Kakuzi online shop.
At Makuyu, Murang’a County, Kakuzi operates an integrated Macadamia Processing Plant, with an installed capacity of 2,000 tons of saleable kernel (SK), making it one of the largest in Kenya. The Kakuzi Macadamia Oil Extraction Plant has a cold-pressed oil installed extraction capacity of 1,000 litres per day.
Last year, as part of its strategic plans to increase production over the next ten years, the firm disclosed plans to nearly double avocado production and exports from 3 million to 5 million four-kilo equivalent cartons. Kakuzi is also planning to increase its Macadamia production from 900 tons of kernel to 1,500 tons.
The Story of Kakuzi Pure Black Tea
Each packet of tea contains over 2,000 of our hand-picked, selected shoots. Kakuzi Pure Black Tea is grown in the verdant Nandi Hills, almost 2,000 meters above sea level, in a perfect combination of height, temperature and fertile soil. The leaves develop a rich, full-bodied flavour as they soak up bright sunshine during the day.
John Kariuki