East Africa Tea Trade Association and TMEA East Africa Inaugurated a Capacity building initiative of Tea Industries in East Africa to implement recognized International Standards(Food Safety Management Systems)
The East Africa Tea Trade Association is excited about this partnership with TradeMark East Africa which is expected to build the capacity of the tea industry in East Africa.
TradeMark’s support will enable us obtain two international certifications; the Food Safety Management System (ISO 22000:2005) and the Quality Management System (QMS:9001:2008); which will enhance the value of tea produced in East Africa” Said Geoffrey Rimbere.
ISO 22000:2005 Training Participants at Kentmere Club in Limuru held on 16th -18th January 2012
EATTA member countries account for 32% of the total tea exported in the world, through the Mombasa tea auction. The Mombasa tea auction, established and managed by EATTA, is currently the world’s second largest tea auction center after Colombo, Sri Lanka. The Auction has grown by a remarkable 300% in the past 20 years, and it offers teas from all major African tea producing countries, including from Kenya, currently the world’s largest tea exporter. Mombasa auctions are conducted in U.S. Dollars and ensure a steady inflow of hard currency into tea producing countries in Africa.
Some of the challenges faced by the East African tea industry have been how to successfully improve its quality and demand for tea. The impact caused by the implementation of these international certifications by EATTA is expected to increase the volumes of tea being exported through the Mombasa auction and their price due to increased customer confidence with East African tea.
The implementation of both international standards will provide EATTA and the East African tea industry as a whole with a competitive advantage over other competitor teas in the global market by changing perceptions on the quality of East African tea, its identification and harmonization with international standards. Meeting the internationally recognized standards will also provide EATTA and the East African tea trade industry with a number of competitive advantages such as increased efficiency, increased revenue, increased exports, improved employee morale, international recognition, and factual approach to decision-making process, supplier relationships, documentation and consistency to the entire quality management system.
The program was inaugurated in Uganda on 10th August, 2011 with at least 30 participants from the Uganda Tea industries benefiting from the 3 day training workshop on ISO 22000:2005 Awareness and Internal Auditor.
