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Kenya has overtaken Sri Lanka to become the number one tea exporter in the world.

Latest figures provided by the Tea Board of Kenya shows the country exported 342 million kilogrammes to 47 world markets, accounting for 22 per cent of the world tea exports.

“We did dislodge Sri Lanka as the leading tea exporter last year and hope we will continue maintaining the same position,” said Ms Sicily Kariuki at the Kenya - United Arab Emirates Trade and Symposium at Norfolk Hotel, Nairobi on Monday.

The Asian country, formerly number one tea exporter, sold 280 million kilogrammes, representing a shortfall of 29 million.

The news is a boost to Kenya and the tea sector in particular, which has in the recent past suffered from vagaries of weather and low export earnings due to a glut in the international market.

The managing director attributed the success to the efforts made in research and development.

“We have about 50 tea varieties suitable to the seven growing regions,” she added.

The two-day symposium which was organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was officially opened by Minister Moses Wetangula.

Ms Kariuki said that out of the 40 per cent of all global tea bags used in making the popular beverage, at least 10 per cent of its content are Kenyan.

Due to its importance as a major foreign exchange earner, about 150,000 hectares of land are currently under the crop yielding an average of 10,977 kg of green leaf per hectare.

Kenya Tourism Board managing director Mureithi Ndegwa, said the sector had recovered by 90.8 per cent from the post-election violence that rocked the industry in 2007.

Source Daily Nation