Kenya has directed its tea factories to suspend ties with the Rainforest Alliance, saying the cost of ethical certification is too high for struggling smallholder farmers.

The government says the financial burden of maintaining the green frog label has fallen on growers rather than being covered by international buyers, as it should be. Agriculture Principal Secretary Paul Ronoh argued that the scheme’s costs outweigh its benefits and announced an immediate suspension after an industry summit.

Kenya, the world’s third-largest tea producer, supplies about half the tea consumed in the UK. Yet a recent Fairtrade poll showed most Kenyan tea workers still don’t earn enough to meet basic needs.

The Rainforest Alliance, while not setting certification fees itself, relies on external audits that cost smallholder-run factories around $3,000 a year. The organisation says it’s working with Kenyan officials to find a resolution and has assured producers that existing certificates remain valid.

The government is considering a more affordable local certification model, while the Ethical Tea Partnership expressed hope for a quick solution, calling certification vital for fair treatment across the supply chain.

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