Author: Muindi

Kenyan agribusiness Kakuzi Plc plans to nearly double avocado and macadamia production and exports over the next decade, focusing on diversification and sustainable practices. The listed agribusiness firm said it will focus on diversification and sustainable practices to boost shareholder returns and market reach. Kakuzi PLC Managing Director Mr Chris Flowers confirmed plans to nearly double avocado production and exports from 3 million four-kilo equivalent cartons to 5 million over the next ten years.  “This will be achieved by a combination of young orchards coming online and completing the plantings next year, as we also seek to mitigate market and shipping risks…

According to a new report by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) entitled The Whole Truth about Whole Grains, there is a huge opportunity in food system transformation, but it’s critical to change what is grown, processed and consumed thoughtfully and gradually. Currently, most of the grains are stripped of the bulk of their important nutrients, and these “refined” grains are a substantial contributor to today’s diet-related diseases. Further, the way grains are produced globally has come to have a detrimental environmental impact.  A shift to growing and eating whole grains additionally, fortified with vitamins and minerals (micronutrients) along with more diversified cereals, can address both the nutritional and environmental issues and enable moving toward much…

UAE-based B Commodities ME (FZE) has acquired a controlling stake in Limuru Tea through a share purchase agreement with Ekaterra Company. The deal involves the acquisition of 51.99% of Limuru Tea’s issued share capital, giving B Commodities indirect control and beneficial ownership. “On 6th May 2024, Ekaterra and B Commodities entered into a share purchase agreement for the sale of the share capital of various Ekaterra subsidies and /or affiliates in East Africa, including 95.56 % of the total issued capital of Lipton tea,” the firm said. “The transaction will, upon completion, result in B commodities indirectly acquiring effective control…

Browns Investments PLC, a Sri Lankan company with a long history of operating plantation businesses, will take over Lipton’s tea estates in Kenya, Rwanda, and Tanzania. According to a joint statement, Browns will invest in its estates in Kenya and Sri Lanka to meet the new standards by 2025. In addition, Lipton and Browns will create a 1 billion Kenyan shilling (approximately £5.9 million) Community Welfare Trust to generate additional employment opportunities in Kenya. This deal is expected to make Browns the world’s leading tea exporter, producing around 87 million kilograms of tea annually. Browns will also become a major supplier…

Schools across Kenya are now “closed until further notice,” President William Ruto announced Friday. Prior to Friday’s announcement, schools reopening for the second term had been extended through Wednesday, May 8. President Ruto directed the Ministry of Education to delay the reopening of schools for the second term, citing ongoing severe weather conditions across the country. The second term was to commence on April 29 and conclude on August 2, with a half-term break from June 20-23. The final term is scheduled to run from August 26 to October 25. Subsequently, the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) and Kenya Intermediate…

Kenya’s year-on-year inflation experienced a notable decline in April, dropping from 5.7% in March to 5.0%.  This is the third month in a row that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) has dropped, from 6.9% in January to 6.3% in February and 5.7% in March. According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS, monthly inflation was negative (-0.2%) in April, indicating a slight price decrease compared to March. It was also the sharpest monthly decrease since June 2020. During the month, food prices eased slightly due to lower sugar, maize, and flour costs. However, some vegetables like onions and tomatoes saw…