Kenyan farms scale down operations as drought cuts output
Farms and factories in Kenya are cutting back operations after a sustained drought reduced tea output, as some small-scale farmers face a "drastic reduction" in volumes. Lack of rainfall since the beginning of the year has stunted bush growth and even caused tea scorching in worst hit areas. Factories are reportedly receiving leaves only three or four days a week. Prices have jumped to a high of $2.50 per kilogram at the Mombasa auction last week, while the amount of tea on offer plummeted by over 7%. Kenya exported over $1 billion worth of tea last year.