Kenyan tea classified as ‘essential commodity’ in Pakistan

Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi led a Kenyan delegation including officials of KTDA to a meeting with Pakistani government officials in Islamabad

Pakistan, the world’s largest
importer of Kenyan tea, has declared the commodity an essential  import to cater for the domestic demand of
tea.

In what will come as good news to Kenyan
tea farmers, the country’s Ministry of Commerce confirmed in a letter that the
same will be included in the State Bank of Pakistan’s Exchange Policy
Department via amendment.

“In view of the above, it is
requested that necessary instructions may be issued to the banks for opening LC’s
of the tea on priority as this is part of essential imports in food category,”
said Qamar Zaman, Pakistan’s Director General, Agro in a letter to Governor of
the country’s state bank.

The decision coming at a time the
Pakistan Tea Association informed the government that during the upcoming month
of Ramadan, domestic demand of tea will increase substantially across the
country.

Kenya’s Agriculture CS Mithika
Linturi welcomed the decision by Islamabad saying the move will make it
possible for traders to manage dollar shortage.

“I am happy to announce that our
request to have Tea considered as an essential Commodity has been approved,” he
said

“It comes in as great news with
the Pakistan market, being the largest for Kenyan tea at over 45%. This will
indeed increase foreign exchange and raise the volumes of Kenyan tea to the
Islamic Republic of Pakistan,” he added

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