Rugabano Tea Makes Bold Debut at Mombasa Auction, Claims Top Position

Daftar Isi

A Remarkable Debut and Rising Success of Rugabano Tea Company

Rugabano Tea Company (Pvt) Ltd, a young tea garden under the Silverback Tea Company, made a significant entry into the Mombasa Tea Auction. This debut marked an important milestone for the company, as it successfully sold its first batch of BP1 tea at $5 per kg during Sale 26 of 2025, which took place on July 1, 2025. The tea was acquired by Mizaj Africa Ltd, one of the top-quality tea buyers at the auction.

The Chairman of Rugabano Tea Company Pvt Ltd, Atul Rastogi, expressed his appreciation for the positive reception of the company’s first appearance at the Mombasa auction this season. He acknowledged the dedication of smallholder farmers who are part of the Rugabano Outgrowers Services Company (ROS). These farmers have played a crucial role in maintaining the high quality of the tea produced.

Previously, the tea had been sold privately, but the decision was made to take advantage of the Mombasa Tea Auction to reach a broader audience of potential buyers. The BP1 invoice number RTC-17163/25 (Lot no. 33094) is considered special for Rugabano Tea Company as it set a strong benchmark for the tea garden, placing it among the best in Africa. This achievement was attributed to the quality of the leaf supplied by the farmers and the support from the buyers.

In the second week of offering, Rugabano Tea Company (Pvt) Ltd's BP1 tea improved its performance, achieving a price of $5.10 per kg. This tea received 38 bids from all the top-quality tea buyers at the Mombasa Auction, including Mizaj Africa Limited, James Finlay Mombasa Ltd, Stansand (Africa) Ltd, LAB International (K) Ltd, and Empire Kenya (EPZ) Ltd, with the latter winning the bid.

The success of Rugabano can be largely credited to the high-quality leaves provided by the smallholder farmers and the buyers who value and reward quality. Following these successful sales, Rugabano now ranks at the top of the Mombasa Auction rankings, with an average price of $5.05 per kg.

Currently, Rugabano Tea Company (Pvt) Ltd supports 4,763 farmers across a total tea area of 2,101 hectares, with 80% of the land belonging to smallholder farmers. The company also provides employment to up to 1,686 people, ensuring decent and sustainable job opportunities. When fully established, Rugabano Tea Company (Pvt) Ltd aims to support more than 10,000 smallholder tea farmers, with the tea area projected to exceed 4,400 hectares, where 90% will benefit smallholder farmers.

To enhance climate resilience, over 70,000 trees are planted annually within the industrial block, with smallholder farmers also contributing to tree planting efforts. Rugabano Tea Company (Pvt) Ltd was officially inaugurated by Dr Gerardine Mukeshimana, former Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, on August 29, 2019, and has since become a model for inclusive and high-quality tea production.

As part of Silverback Tea Co. Ltd, Rugabano Tea Company is supported by a joint venture between Luxmi Tea Company of India and The Wood Foundation Africa. Both entities are recognized for their impact-led investments across Africa and the global tea industry. The company was honored when President Paul Kagame of Rwanda visited in August 2022, where he commended Luxmi Tea and The Wood Foundation and emphasized the importance of working together for national development.

President Kagame praised the company's role in rural transformation, environmental sustainability, and export growth. He urged tea growers to increase production and capitalize on the global demand for their products. In 2024, Rugabano Tea Company achieved the highest average selling price in Rwanda, according to the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB), setting a strong foundation for future success.

Rugabano Tea Company (Pvt) Ltd is solidifying its position as one of Rwanda’s leading tea producers, elevating the country’s profile on the international tea stage. Silverback Tea Company operates other top Rwandan tea gardens, such as Gisovu Tea Company Ltd and Pfunda Tea Company Ltd. Sorwathe Ltd is another garden in Rwanda under Luxmi Estates of India. Each garden has unique attributes that contribute to the production of high-quality, rich, flavorful, and complex teas.

Named after the majestic mountain gorillas found in Rwanda’s volcanic ranges, Silverback Tea symbolizes strength, resilience, and the natural beauty of the country. The company's mission is to share the joy of the finest teas from Rwanda with the world while uplifting employees and smallholder farmers, safeguarding the environment, and maintaining the highest quality standards.

Silverback Tea Company appreciates the business-friendly environment in Rwanda, which allows it to thrive and focus on delivering premium tea. Rudra Chatterjee, Chairman of Silverback Tea Company Ltd, affirmed this sentiment, highlighting the company’s commitment to quality and sustainability.