Tea output for February this year jumped 67.6 percent over the same period last year on account of favorable weather. Latest data from the Kenya Tea board says production rose to 38 and a half Million kilograms against 18.4 Million Kgs recorded during the corresponding month of 2012. The board says that income from tea will rise 4 percent to 116 billion shillings this year. Kenya which is the world’s biggest producer of black tea has seen a steady rise in earnings toppling tourism to becoming the country’s top forex earner. Last year tea production slumped 2 percent on account of harsh weather in growing zones to 370 million kilograms raking in 112 billion shillings. Latest figures from the tea board Kenya says that good production was recorded across the sub-sectors, with tea output within Smallholder sub-sector increasing from 11.7 Million Kgs to 23.2 Million Kgs. Production within the Plantation sub-sector also rose from 6.6 Million Kgs to 15.2 Million Kgs in the same period. Production in West and East of the rift valley increased the most at 23 million kgs and 15.5 million kilograms respectively. Cumulative production for the first two months of 2013 stands at 83.8 Million Kgs against 54.6 Million Kgs recorded during the same period of 2012. During the month, 24.2 Million kgs of black tea was sold through Mombasa Auction. The average tea auction price for Kenyan tea for the month is kshs. 3.13 per Kg against 2.95 for the corresponding period of last year. The report says higher prices were due to improved demand by most markets in anticipation of supply shortfall in the first quarter owing to dry and hot weather conditions as well as winter season experienced across major black tea producing countries. Egypt, Pakistan, the United Kingdom and Afghanistan remain top importers of the Kenyan tea. Источник: kbc.co.ke/kenyas-tea-output-jump-to-67-6-pct/