Tuesday Nov 04, 2025
Tuesday Nov 04, 2025
Tuesday, 4 November 2025 05:37 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
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| Head of Global Operations Dr. Oleg Piletsky |
Browns Plantations is significantly expanding its orthodox tea production capacity across East Africa. This strategic move aligns with the company’s vision to deliver premium, sustainable, and technologically advanced agricultural products while supporting local communities and optimising operational efficiency.
Earlier this month, Browns Plantations Kenya commissioned an improved and expanded orthodox tea production setup at its Kitumbe Factory. The Milima mark facility is now capable of producing up to 3 million kilograms of high-quality orthodox tea annually, marking a milestone in the company’s commitment to specialty tea production.
Browns Plantations Head of Global Operations Dr. Oleg Piletsky emphasised: “Our investment in orthodox tea capacity reflects a strategic decision to maximise the value of tea grown in Africa. By adding orthodox capacity in Kitumbe factory and thereafter expanding to other factories, we are enhancing product quality and market competitiveness. This expansion not only benefits our customers with premium products but also uplifts local smallholder farmers, their livelihoods and contributes to the sustainable growth of the East African tea industry.”
Browns Plantations East Africa is strategically targeting a long leaf Orthodox tea production capacity of 25 million kilograms within the next 18 months. This ambitious goal forms part of a broader plan to have orthodox tea constitute over 40% of the group’s total production capacity in the region by the short to mid-term. The company leverages the extensive heritage and expertise of its Sri Lankan operations, where it has long been a pioneer in orthodox tea cultivation and processing.
Kitumbe Factory, Kenya
Market analysis underscores the soundness of this strategic shift. Leafy orthodox teas consistently command higher premiums in global markets compared to traditional CTC teas, with prices ranging from $ 3 to $ 10 per kilogram at specialty auctions—significantly above the average $ 2.28 per kilogram for bulk black CTC tea. This premium pricing enhances value capture for producers and aligns with global consumer trends favouring specialty and high-quality teas.
Browns Plantations’ global footprint, with an annual production of approximately 100 million kilograms of tea, is set to grow further as the company pursues sustainable and innovative agricultural solutions. The impetus to expand orthodox tea production capacity in East Africa is a key pillar of this growth strategy, reinforcing Browns Plantations’ position as the worlds’ most trusted and innovative agribusiness partner.
This initiative also supports local economies by empowering smallholder farmers through value addition and sustainable practices, ensuring that the benefits of growth are widely shared.
As Browns Plantations continues to integrate cutting-edge technologies and sustainable practices, the company is poised to lead the global tea industry into a new era of quality, innovation, and social responsibility.
