16 Jul 2008

THE AMERICAN FAIR TRADE BUYER VISITS SATEMWA TEA ESTATE

On Tuesday 15th July 2008, we were previleged to meet Mr. Thomas M O'Hara President of the International Marketing Systems LTD from the USA who was on a business visit to our estate. His organisation is looking for Fair Trade black tea from producers within Asia (India) and Africa (Malawi or Kenya). He was accompanied by head of the COMPASS II, a USAID funded NGO.
He met with members of the Satemwa Fair Trade Joint Body and members of the Small Holder Tea producers who sell their leaf to Satemwa Factory.
He then went to the factory where he was shown samples of Satemwa black teas as well as white and othe special teas.
''The visit has raised our hopes as we are quite optimistic of another Fair trade potential market for our tea from where workers will benefit by way of the Premium'', lamented one Joint body member.
The visitors however, emphasised to both the JB and the Small scale farmers about the need to enhance QUALITY throughout the process chain so as to remain competitive.

For more info. visit: www.satemwa.com