A team of tea experts from Belgium and Netherlands says Malawi’s specialty teas can compete well on the international market based on their unique flavours and quality without having to be blended with teas from other countries.
The delegation has advised tea producers in the country to consider producing specialty tea for the export market rather than just producing for the domestic market and has since expressed interest to import Malawi’s specialty tea for the Eauropean and North American markets.
The team is in the country to explore the potential of Malawi’s specialty teas and visited the Limbe Auction Floors in Blantyre on Tuesday to understand the operations of the Malawi tea market.
Netherlands International Tea and Coffee Academy Director, Richard Schukkink, said there is potential to expand the market for Malawi tea if authorities would revise the pricing structure which is currently being used by the industry.
“The quality of Malawi tea is very good but nobody in Europe knows that. The story behind the tea is also fantastic. We want to know where our product is coming from and get the face of the producers,” said Schukkink.
He further said as a team they would like to import Malawi specialty tea for the Europe and Northern American market.
Schukkink said Malawi produces black tea of good quality which can stand on its own. The local black tea is mostly blended with other teas on the international market.
“It is a pity that the beautiful tea from Malawi ends up in a tea bag that is blended with others and fails to display its beautiful characteristics,” he said.
Tea Association of Malawi Chief Executive Officer, Clement Thindwa, said the delegation is specifically looking for specialty tea, which Malawi is currently not producing on a commercial basis.
He said there are a few tea estates that are doing trials on the green teas and the quantities are not enough.
“This is a long term thing as it requires structural change in terms of machinery conversion and management. However, as an association we are excited as this sets the pace,” said Thindwa.
He further said as a sector they need to start responding to market needs.
“The idea that we have been producing black tea all these years, we should never assume that these markets will always be there. The market maybe there but might not be as profitable as the specialty teas,” he said.
He also advised the estates that are producing the specialty tea to start producing on commercial basis and not only for domestic consumption.
“Satemwa is one of the companies that are pioneering production of the specialty tea and its teas are being sold locally. But the most exciting news is that this delegation has assured to work with us and help us market our green teas in Europe and North America,” he said.
Leave a Reply