In the next decade production is expected to reach 9,000 tonnes, but the non-sale of tea in the tea auctions, where most world tea trade takes place, may affect production.
Cameroon tea will soon enter the development of a Small Holders Scheme, expected to pave the way for individual farmers to not only grow tea but own tea farms. A production of 9,000 tonnes projected 10 years from now makes it necessary that Cameroonians should continue to encourage tea planting and tea drinking. Production Director of the Cameroon Tea Estates (CTE), Robert Mulutakwi Achiri, who was part of the delegation led by CTE General Manager, Boumal Dagobert, was speaking in Douala shortly after representing Cameroon at the three-day First African Tea Convention and Exhibition in Mombasa, Kenya.
As at now most of Cameroon’s tea is sold only in the CEMAC zone particularly in the Sudano-Sahelian region, where Muslim and tea drinking culture is predominant. The finer tea grades are used in tea bag and sold in the southern parts of CEMAC. Despite this the sector remains yet largely unknown as CTE products are still to reach the tea auction, where most world tea trade takes place. Achiri dislosed: “We produce about five million kilograms of tea per year as compared to big producers like Kenya producing about 400 million kilograms per year. The reason is that we don’t sell our teas in the Tea auctions where most world tea trade takes place. But this will increase in the near future with planting still going on in our plantations, and as the young plants mature.” Following the convention and with the Kenya experience, Cameroon is looking forward to significantly boost the production of tea.
In order to enhance production, new machineries have been added to CTE factories and plantations, which ensure little manual handling and ease work flow on the production line. In Ndu, Djuttitsa, and Tole additional line of crushing CTC (Cut, Tear & Curl) machines have been secured. Also, modern Fluid Bed Driers (FBD) drying machines and modern Continuous Fermenting Units (CFU) for tea fermentation have also been secured and deployed. Concerning allegations that old fields have been abandoned, the Production Director said CTE is running all plantations: “Field upkeep is continuous and an endless process. There is no time in any plantation that you will find everything clean and good as expected. If that were so, then we should all pack our bags and go home. We are there because the work is there and it is a vicious cycle; you keep on working till you finally depart and others take over.” After the convention Pakistan and Dubai tea buyers have been rushing to the country.
