Orthodox tea farmers in Kenya are expected to receive significantly higher earnings following the launch of orthodox tea sales at the Mombasa Tea Auction. This move aims to boost farmer income amid declining prices for traditional black tea varieties.

• Orthodox tea is projected to trade between Sh390 and Sh1,300 a kilo at auction, a substantial increase from last year's Sh442 to Sh540.
• Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe witnessed the first sale of 2,925 packages (91,798 kilos) of orthodox teas.
• The government is engaging in high-level discussions to regain access to the Iranian market, which, along with Sudan's ban on imports, has previously affected tea prices.
• Kenya is diversifying into orthodox and speciality teas, a lucrative niche growing by 6 percent annually, to fetch between $3 and $10 per kilo.