Rainforest Alliance reinstates trade licenses of James Finlays and Ekaterra Tea companies

KENYA – Rainforest Alliance has lifted the suspension of the trade licenses of James Finlays and Ekaterra Tea, allowing the multinational tea firms to resume the sale of their products in international markets.

The alliance had blocked the two firms on May 9 from accessing the international market over what it termed as a failure to conform to the social and management criteria.

The independent investigation was launched by the Rainforest Alliance following an exposé by BBC Africa on how women in tea firms are sexually assaulted for work in Kenya.

In a statement, the international organization said the removal of the ban was due to “corrective actions implemented by the owners”.

“The companies have taken action to close the identified non-conformities…Rainforest Alliance maintained close communication with both the certificate holders and their parent companies throughout this process,” read the statement in part.

“From this time, tea produced and sold by both Ekaterra Tea and James Finlay can once again be sold as Rainforest Alliance certified.”

Ugandan milk finds new market in Senegal after Kenyan snub

UGANDA – Impacted by Kenya’s decision to limit import of Ugandan milk, the dairy sector in Uganda has turned its eyes west, securing a new trade partner in Senegal, a country of about 17 million that is heavily reliant on milk imports.

According to Senegal’s President, Macky Sall, Senegal imports dairy products from distant places and would be glad if Uganda could set in and fill the vacuum.

“Senegal imports powdered milk from New Zealand and Brazil and therefore we need to see how we can come and buy your milk,” Sall suggested.

“We also produce a lot of things in Senegal, we produce a lot of ground nuts; there are therefore a lot of possibilities to exchange ideas.”

Earlier, Dairy Development Authority revealed that the country is facing a significant challenge impacting the dairy sector leading to an oversupply of milk that has resulted in 23 million liters being stuck and going to waste.

From Algeria to now Senegal, Uganda has been exploring new markets for its milk to diversify away from Kenya which has restricted access of its products in an effort to protect its own dairy industry.