Bomet Governor Prof Hillary Barchok has held talks with an Australian tea investor as the county explores opportunities to connect local tea and coffee farmers with the Australian market.
Barchok, who is on a working tour of Australia, said he met Simon Eaton of Kappys Tea and Coffee to discuss opportunities for direct coffee and value-added tea exports from Kenya to Australia.
“In my working tour of Australia, I today held a collaboration meeting with Australian tea investor Simon Eaton of Kappys Tea and Coffee, exploring opportunities to connect Bomet’s tea and coffee farmers with the Australian market,” Barchok stated.
The governor said the discussions were prompted by growing interest in Kenyan tea and coffee in the Australian market, with the two sides exploring ways of creating new markets and increasing value for farmers.
“We are creating new market opportunities and greater value for our farmers,” Barchok said.
According to the governor, Eaton expressed interest in working with Kenyan farmers in the tea and coffee sectors, noting the popularity of Kenyan tea in South Australia.
Barchok described the meeting as an important first step towards unlocking the Australian market for farmers in Bomet.
Tea backbone of Bomet economy
Tea remains a major contributor to Bomet’s economy, with small-scale farmers accounting for approximately 75 per cent of tea produced in the county.
The county government has increasingly focused on finding new markets and improving the value derived from agricultural products as it seeks to boost farmers’ incomes.
The proposed Australian market could provide an avenue for Bomet farmers to access direct export opportunities, particularly through value-added tea and coffee products.
“Tea remains the backbone of Bomet’s economy. Small-scale farmers account for approximately 75% of all tea produced in Bomet, making the search for new and better markets critical to improving farmers’ incomes and strengthening the county’s economy.”
The discussions also come amid efforts to diversify markets for Kenyan agricultural produce beyond traditional destinations and increase the share of value retained by farmers and local producers.
Barchok said the county would continue exploring partnerships that can create better markets for Bomet’s tea and coffee farmers.
