Tea Company suspends operations in Bomet, Kericho counties over insecurity

Ekaterra

business premises and the deliberate destruction of crucial assets including some of the tea plucking machines.

“The value of compromised assets as a result of these security challenges is estimated at approximately Sh50 million and an additional Sh120 million in 4.5 million kilos of green leaf,” he said.

KENYA – Ekaterra Tea Company has suspended its operations in two Rift Valley counties in Kenya due to insecurity following the heightened invasion and destruction of property by residents.

The multinational tea firm, which owns vast tea estates in Bomet and Kericho counties, took the drastic action to put the safety of its employees at the forefront.

“The safety of their people is of paramount importance to them. So, they have suspended their operations until the law enforcement agencies can confirm that it is safe to resume their activities,” a statement issued by Kenya Tea Growers Association (KTGA) chair Silas Njibwakale read.

KTGA said that large-scale tea producers in Kericho and Bomet counties are deeply alarmed by the increasing insecurity plaguing Kericho, Bomet, Nyamira, and Nandi Counties. Demonstrations have been going on in Kericho against the introduction of mechanized tea-picking machines by large-scale tea companies. The machines, according to the residents, have reduced the number of workers in the tea estates.

Njibwakale noted that the escalation of insecurity in the farms has led to organized assaults on

“What began as daytime raids and thefts of tea leaves and machinery in October 2022 has now escalated into organized assaults on business premises and the deliberate destruction of crucial assets.”

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Nestle extends majority ownership of Nestle Nigeria with additional share acquisition

NIGERIA - Nestle S. A., the majority shareholder of Nestle Nigeria Plc, has bought an additional 40, 894 units of the shares of the consumer goods manufacturer at a cost of N44 million (US$95,000).

This is the second time in 2023 that the Switzerland-based multinational food company is acquiring more shares of its Nigerian subsidiary.

In March, Nestle S.A. bought 77, 967 units of shares of the Nigerian arm for over N84m (about US$0.18 million).

As of December 31, 2022, Nestle Switzerland (Societe Des Products), the ultimate holding company owned 66.18 per cent (2021: 66.18 per cent) of the issued share capital of Nestlé Nigeria Plc.

Kenya to import 180,000 more metric tons of sugar to curb surging prices

Meanwhile, the shareholders of the fast-moving consumer goods manufacturer had approved the proposed final dividend of N36.50 for the 2022 financial year.

The board of directors had recommended the payment of a final dividend of N36.50 (2021: N25.50) per share having earlier declared an interim dividend of N25 for 2022. The total dividend paid for the year amounts to N61.50.

KENYA – Kenya is set to import 180,000 more metric tons of sugar to cushion consumers against the skyrocketing prices of the products after the recent duty-free sugar failed to curb soaring prices.

“We are going to authorize the importation of 180,000 metric tons of sugar to cushion the consumers against skyrocketing prices, which is unfortunate because we are supposed to be crushing sugar we need to sustain ourselves,” said Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi.

Linturi said Kenya has been forced to outsource from other markets as regional markets are experiencing similar shortages because of drought and short rains.

The government opened an import window in December that would see traders ship in 100,000 tonnes of sugar outside of the COMESA region to curb an imminent shortage in the country.

In the most recent market review, a 2kg of sugar ranges between Kes 430 – Kes 480 at retail price, more than three times the normal price in the previous years, when the prices were high.

The shortage has been attributed to an acute sugarcane shortage that has forced many millers to operate at less than 30 percent of their installed capacity.

The National Assembly Departmental Committee on Agriculture and Livestock, led by committee chairperson John Mutunga, recently said the shortage is a result of poaching, lack of policy framework, and unhealthy competition from importers of cheap sugar.

The Government Opened An Import Window In December

Dr. Mutunga pointed out there is a need to amend policies that will regulate the importation of sugarcane to protect local farmers who invest their resources and time on the farm.

Coca-Cola Beverages Botswana inaugurates new US$24.4m production line

More than a third of Gen Z and younger millennials sceptical about sugar replacersnew study finds

GLOBAL – Gen Z and younger Millennials are ‘breaking the norm’ when it comes to sweetener preferences among different generations, a new study by taste and nutrition company Kerry has revealed.

across the globe, with 75% of global consumers saying they prefer a natural sweetener (such as honey, sugar, or stevia).

BOTSWANA – Coca-Cola Beverages

Botswana (CCBB), a unit of CocaCola Beverages Africa (CCBA), has launched a new state-of-the-art production line and water treatment plant to significantly increase the factory’s production capacity.

CCBB invested P310 million (US$24.4m) into the new production line with a capacity of 13,500 bottles per hour and equipped with the latest industry technology.

The installation of the new PET line allows for faster and more efficient production of PET products, increasing productivity, while also producing bottles with higher clarity and strength, CCBB said.

CCBB MD David Chait pointed out that the company would be partnering with the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources to provide it with clean water as well.

In a water-scarce country such as Botswana, Chait explained that CCBB needs to use water as efficiently as possible and its investment in the water treatment plant, ensures the water going back into the environment is clean.

“This investment is a clear demonstration of our continued belief in the future of Botswana and a signal of our confidence in Botswana as an investment destination,” CocaCola Beverages Africa (CCBA) CEO, Jacques Vermeulen.

According to the study, younger consumers are placing greater importance on sugar in food and drinks, with 36% of these consumers skeptical of ingredients used to replace sugar in food and drinks.

The survey also revealed that natural sweeteners rank highest

On preferences, most consumers globally preferred honey, sucrose/ sugar, stevia, coconut sugar, and fructose more than any other sweetener.

Kerry’s consumer research and insights experts conducted the quantitative survey that saw the input of 12,784 people across 24 countries and six continents.