On November 29th & 30th, 2024, NAEB, Silverback Tea Company, and Sorwathe Ltd hosted an interactive workshop at Sorwathe to explore strategies for enhancing Rwanda’s tea sector. Bringing together industry leaders, directors, and experts, the two-day event facilitated insightful discussions on tea processing, sustainability, market expansion, and tea tourism.
Advancing Rwanda’s Tea Industry: Key Insights from the Interactive Workshop
Driving Excellence in Tea Processing
The workshop featured deep discussions on tea processing methods, emphasizing best practices to ensure consistency and high quality. Experts provided insights on withering techniques and optimizing CTC (Crush, Tear, Curl) processing, key steps in refining tea’s flavor profile and texture.
A significant focus was placed on green leaf qualitywith specialists stressing that careful handling at this early stage directly impacts the flavor, aroma, and overall market value of the final product. By refining these processes, Rwanda’s tea industry can strengthen its reputation for producing premium teas that meet global standards.
Sustainability and Climate Adaptation
One of the major concerns raised was the impact of climate change on tea production. Dr. Maritim from the Tea Research Institute of Kenya led discussions on clonal selection, explaining how climate-resilient tea varieties could help farmers mitigate weather-related risks. Sustainable field practices, including pruning and plucking techniques, were also discussed, ensuring that tea bushes remain healthy and productive while maintaining premium quality standards.
Another key aspect was soil health, with a session on nutrient management and fertilizer optimization. Proper fertilization not only enhances tea growth but also ensures environmental sustainability by minimizing the risk of overuse.
Expanding Rwanda’s Global Tea Market
Beyond production, the workshop focused on market expansion and value addition. Simon O’Neil provided an in-depth analysis of the global tea market, highlighting emerging trends and opportunities for Rwandan tea to strengthen its export position. With growing international demand for specialty teas, including orthodox, organic, and green teas, the discussion emphasized the need for strategic branding, premium packaging, and diversified product offerings.
Mr. Atul Rastogi explored value addition opportunities, urging to move beyond bulk sales and invest in processing, packaging, and specialty blends to increase profit and consumer appeal. One of the most exciting discussions centered on tea tourism, a growing sector that can offer visitors a unique and immersive experience. Tea tourism not only enhances brand visibility and consumer engagement but also creates additional revenue streams for tea producers, benefiting local communities and the entire tea value chain.
Additionally, discussions covered the Mombasa Tea Auction, a key marketplace for East African teas. Understanding auction dynamics, pricing structures, and buyer preferences was emphasized as essential for maintaining Rwanda’s competitive edge in international markets.
A Collective Vision for the Future
The workshop concluded with a roadmap for the future growth of Rwanda’s tea sector. Claude Bizimana, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB) and Atul Rastogi outlined key focus areas, including continuous quality improvement, expanding export opportunities, promoting sustainability practices, and developing tea tourism initiatives. As Rwanda positions itself as a leader in the global tea industry, collaboration between NAEB, private sector leaders, and research institutions will be crucial in driving long-term success.
With Sorwathe Ltd, Silverback Tea, and NAEB officials working closely together, this workshop marked a significant step in shaping a sustainable, competitive, and experience-driven tea industry for Rwanda.
