A statement from the Tea Board of Kenya (TBK) said the Kenyan delegation will join more than 100 foreign and 300 Sri Lankan delegates expected to attend the Colombo International Tea Convention which kicks of on August 29-September 1.

   "As one of the leading producers of the highest quality black tea in the world, Kenya will be sharing and comparing its experiences together with its host, the Sri Lanka Tea Board among others," the TBK Managing Director Sicily Kariuki said.

  The four-day convention whose theme will be sustainability or 'Sustainabilitea' comes at a time when consumers are becoming more conscious of their social responsibility when sourcing the product.

 The convention will discuss issues like sustainability through good agriculture practices, emerging global standards, corporate social responsibility, innovation and markets.

 "The Convention will also include other forums such as a Tea Producers Forum and a Tea Producer and Consumer Countries Forum. Both Forums will hold consultations on key issues directly affecting the world tea industry," Kariuki said.

   She said delegates will focus on key issues such as new regulations imposed on producing countries to ensure minimum residue levels in tea, multi origin sourcing and traceability of tea, innovations in packaging and promotions among others.

   "They will also follow up on other pertinent issues affecting the global tea industry as well as examining challenges and opportunities in this rare occasion," Kariuki said.

   She said the convention is also expected to chart the future of the world tea industry currently characterized by declining prices due to global overproduction, high production costs and increased competition among other challenges.

   The conference is being organized by the Colombo Tea Traders' Association (CTTA) and the Sri Lanka Tea Board to mark the 140th anniversary of the Ceylon tea industry.

  Kenya compares favourably with Sri Lanka in terms of production, having been the third largest producer of black tea after India and Sri Lanka contributing 8.8 percent of total global production last year.

   Kenya was the second largest exporter in the world after Sri Lanka and commanded a remarkable 19.8 percent of all global tea exports last year. In 2005, Kenya was the leading exporter of tea in the world.

  "It is important for Kenya to use this Convention as a platform to learn especially with respect to value addition. Sri Lanka is seen as a pioneer in value addition of tea with an estimated 45 percent level of value addition compared to Kenya's 10 percent," Kariuki said.

  Kenya's participation is expected to bring home valuable insights and lessons which will be part of the measures being applied locally to improve the industry that is a primary source of foreign exchange earnings and employment.

  The TBK, the apex body mandated with regulating the tea industry will be leading officials from the Tea Research Foundation of Kenya (TRFK), Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) and the Ministry of Agriculture to this convention.

  The east African nation earned just over 670 million US dollars last year from tea exports, the country's top source of hard currency, and its farmers often complain about low prices occasioned by global glut.

   Last year, tea production hit 310 million kilograms accounting for 10 percent of the global tea supply and the country's 95 percent of tea goes for export markets.

  According to FAO, global supply is projected to grow at an estimated 1.8 percent annually in the next decade, while consumption will grow at 1.3 percent per annual.

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