Africa

African nations like Kenya, Burundi, Malawi & Rwanda are well known for their coloury, strong CTC Black teas. But in the recent past, these nations have started to change their focus towards Orthodox teas, purple tea etc in order to improve profitability. Sorwathe (https://www.teaimporters.com/sorwathe/), one of the oldest tea companies in Rwanda on Friday unveiled a new green tea factory worth over Rwf1 billion in Kinihira sector, Rulindo district in the Northern Province. According to company officials, the factory will exclusively produce green tea whose demand has globally been increasing over the years.

With the new plant, Peiris indicated that the more than 40-year old family-owned business will now be able to supply tea that buyers want and satisfy the current demand.

The head of the company also highlighted that expanding their operations will give them a competitive edge in green tea business in Rwanda and in the region.

The new factory has a capacity to produce more than 300,000 kilogrammes of organic tea.

During the commissioning of the plant, officials said that more employment opportunities will be provided to the farmers and other community members, and in particular women.

The factory was commissioned at a mega ceremony that brought together hundreds of tea farmers and citizens in Kinihira village as well as high ranking officials in the country.

Some people had a chance to tour the new factory and get a taste of the green tea that Sorwathe will be producing.

This kind of tea produces more pronounced, robust, and clearer flavours and aromas than their traditionally produced counterparts. It is this that many argue is attracting more people to the tea.

According to the Food and Agricultural Organisation, global output of green tea is foreseen to increase at an even faster rate of 7.5 percent annually to reach 3.6 million tonnes in 2027, largely driven by countries like China, India and a few emerging countries.

They anticipate that the production capacity of the new plant could help the company fetch about $1.2 million as the cost of the kilogramme of green tea is expected to be around $4 (about Rwf3,498.6).

The company already produces other varieties of teas, including orthodox (whole leaf tea), white tea, and black teas. It exports to the United States (US), United Kingdom (UK), Canada, Ireland, South Africa, Japan, China, Pakistan and France.

Over the years the production of Sorwathe has increased and currently is around 3.5 million kilogrammes made tea per annum. This is around 15 per cent of the country’s total production and continues to be the largest producer in the country.

Andrew Wertheim, the Chairman of Sorwathe, said their vision is to become the most innovative company in producing orthodox tea, tea bags and packaged tea for retail sale.

“When my father, Joe Werthiem, started Sorwathe in 1975, his vision was to improve the lives of people in surrounding communities through tea. To achieve this goal, we want Sorwathe to be the most innovative tea factory in Rwanda,” he remarked.

References 

1.Original Post: https://www.newtimes.co.rw/news/sorwathe-inaugurates-new-rwf1bn-green-tea-factory

2.Company Website:

3. More info + Picture: