Rwanda expects its 2009 earnings from tea to rise 29 percent to $54 million compared with the previous year, due to higher yields per hectare, branded packaging and new varieties, the central African country’s industry regulator said on Friday.

Rwandan tea leaves are currently sold in bulk for $2.20 per kg at auction at the Kenyan port city Mombasa. Butera said by bagging and packaging the tea in Rwanda, the leaves could be exported for $17 per kg, almost seven times the price.

Posted: 01|3|09 at 9:56 am. Filed under: Africa.