Ugandan tea output may rise 8pc
Thursday, 8 April 2010
KAMPALA, April 7 (Bloomberg): Tea output in Uganda, Africa's third-largest producer of the leaf, may increase by as much as 8 per cent this year because of more planting and better farm management, the Uganda Tea Association said.
Production may climb to between 53 million and 54 million kilograms (116.8 million to 119 million pounds) from 50 million kilograms in 2009, George Ssekitoleko, the association's executive secretary, said by phone today from the capital, Kampala. The forecast is 15 per cent higher than a Jan. 28 projection because of better weather, he said.
"There has been a positive trend over the years and we think we shall achieve this target if the weather is favorable," Ssekitoleko said. "Tea planted a few years ago is now in its prime production and farm management is better."
Production may climb to between 53 million and 54 million kilograms (116.8 million to 119 million pounds) from 50 million kilograms in 2009, George Ssekitoleko, the association's executive secretary, said by phone today from the capital, Kampala. The forecast is 15 per cent higher than a Jan. 28 projection because of better weather, he said.
"There has been a positive trend over the years and we think we shall achieve this target if the weather is favorable," Ssekitoleko said. "Tea planted a few years ago is now in its prime production and farm management is better."