Burundi OTB Tea Production Decline: 30% Drop Over Decade

• Burundi's tea production has declined by 30% over the last decade, resulting in over 1,300 hectares of plantations being abandoned or destroyed.
• This downturn is primarily due to farmer demotivation over the 500 Burundian francs per kilogram purchase price for green tea leaves, alongside severe fertilizer shortages and a labor deficit.
• The Burundi Tea Board (OTB) is considering raising the green tea leaf purchase price and has begun directly procuring fertilizers to address these issues.
• The OTB aims for fertilizers to be available by October 2026 and plans to reintroduce twice-yearly plantation fertilization.
• The OTB's strategy for revitalizing the tea industry focuses on improved farmer compensation, consistent fertilizer supply, and enhanced plantation maintenance.

The OTB's comprehensive strategy for revival now hinges on three critical pillars: ensuring better compensation for producers, guaranteeing a regular supply of essential fertilizers, and promoting increased plantation maintenance.

Burundi's tea production has experienced a significant downturn over the past decade, with output plummeting by 30%. This alarming trend has led to the abandonment of more than 1,000 hectares of tea plantations, while an additional 300-plus hectares have been either uprooted or completely destroyed, signaling a severe crisis within the nation's agricultural sector.

The Burundi OTB tea production decline was highlighted by Yves Mukundwa, Director General of the Burundi Tea Board (OTB), during a meeting with local administrative officials. Speaking on Thursday, September 3, 2026, at the Rwegura tea factory in Kayanza district, Butanyerera province, located in northern Burundi, Mukundwa underscored the urgency of the situation. He noted that the overall price of tea has also fallen by 30% over the same ten-year period, exacerbating the challenges faced by growers and the industry as a whole.

This substantial reduction in production capacity and market value points to deep-seated issues affecting the livelihoods of countless tea farmers and the economic stability of the region. The OTB, as the primary regulatory body, is now actively exploring measures to reverse this worrying trajectory and revitalize the struggling sector.

Several critical factors contribute to the Burundi tea industry challenges, primarily stemming from farmer demotivation, severe fertilizer shortages, and a persistent labor deficit. A major point of contention for tea farmers has been the stagnant purchase price of green tea leaves, which has been set at 500 Burundian francs (bif) per kilogram for several years. Producers argue that this price is insufficient to cover their rising cost of living and the increasing prices of other essential commodities, leading many to abandon their plantations in search of more profitable endeavors.

The scarcity of vital agricultural inputs, particularly fertilizers, further compounds the problem. The Director General of the OTB pointed to global supply chain disruptions, largely attributed to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine—with Russia being a leading global supplier of fertilizers—as a significant impediment to procurement. Domestically, Burundi fertilizer procurement issues have been exacerbated by a new group purchasing method mandated for state-owned enterprises, which has reportedly caused delays in fertilizer availability and distribution.

Adding to these difficulties is a notable labor shortage, particularly impacting larger, industrially operated tea plantations. These extensive farms require a substantial workforce for critical tasks such as harvesting and ongoing maintenance, and the lack of available labor directly affects operational efficiency and overall yield.

In response to the escalating crisis, the Burundi Tea Board (OTB) is formulating a multi-pronged strategy aimed at revitalizing the sector. A key proposal involves an OTB green tea leaf price increase; the board has already completed calculations to present a recommendation to the relevant ministry for raising the purchase price of a kilogram of green tea leaves. This measure is intended to serve as a crucial tea farmer incentive in Burundi, remotivating growers and encouraging them to boost their production efforts.

Addressing the critical fertilizer shortage, the OTB has initiated a new Burundi agricultural sector policy by directly purchasing chemical fertilizers from producers. This direct procurement strategy aims to circumvent previous supply difficulties, with the OTB anticipating that these essential fertilizers will be available to farmers by October 2026 at the latest. Furthermore, the OTB plans to reinstate the practice of fertilizing plantations twice a year, a move expected to significantly improve yields and gradually increase overall tea production.

Yves Mukundwa also sought to reassure tea growers, affirming that the government is aware of their concerns. He urged them to intensify their efforts in plantation maintenance, including weeding and fertilization, and to adhere strictly to harvesting schedules provided by agronomists. The OTB's comprehensive strategy for revival now hinges on three critical pillars: ensuring better compensation for producers, guaranteeing a regular supply of essential fertilizers, and promoting increased plantation maintenance.

This article signals potential regulatory shifts and economic policy changes by the Burundi Tea Board (OTB) to address the tea production crisis. Lawyers should monitor the OTB's implementation of proposed price increases and direct fertilizer procurement, as these measures could impact investment strategies, supply chain agreements, and compliance requirements for clients operating in or with Burundi's agricultural sector.

Source: Reporting based on information from Iwacu