Introduction
In 2023, Rainforest Alliance announced its exit from Kenya’s tea certification landscape. Many smallholder farmers and cooperatives were surprised. The move raised questions about compliance, sustainability, and access to global markets.
This article explains what the exit means, what’s next for producers, and why digital traceability might matter more than ever.
Who Is Rainforest Alliance?
Rainforest Alliance is a nonprofit that certifies farms and supply chains around the world. Its green frog seal has been on tea boxes in Europe, the US, and beyond.
In Kenya, the certification helped smallholder producers meet international standards. These included fair labor, safe practices, and sustainability. In return, producers accessed premium buyers and long-term contracts.
Why They Left
Rainforest Alliance has not shared all the details. But it said high monitoring costs and complex field conditions made its work harder. It plans to stop certifying tea in Kenya by 2025.
The organization said this move is part of a global strategy change, not a criticism of Kenyan farmers.
The Impact on Farmers
Without certification, many producer groups risk losing access to buyers who require verified sourcing. Even when they continue to follow ethical or environmentally sound practices, the absence of formal certification makes it harder to prove their credibility. Additionally, some factories and cooperatives relied on Rainforest Alliance’s structure for training, recordkeeping, and compliance reminders. Without that external support, maintaining consistent standards may become more challenging.
Lessons for the Agriculture Sector
This decision affects more than tea. It shows a growing problem: many certification systems are hard to manage in smallholder settings. Farmers often lack the tools, support, and budgets needed to stay compliant.
As markets ask for more traceability and proof, producers need new ways to respond—without extra paperwork or cost.
What Could Replace Certification?
In the absence of Rainforest Alliance certification, several paths may emerge. Some producer groups may develop their own internal compliance systems, supported by periodic buyer audits. Others may explore alternative certification bodies, though few have the same global recognition or market acceptance. Donor-funded digital tools—such as mobile apps and dashboards—can offer short-term support, but often lack long-term sustainability. Increasingly, producer-led digital traceability solutions are becoming viable alternatives, enabling groups to track harvests, members, and supply chains with data that can be shared directly with buyers or funders.
The Opportunity in Data
The end of certification is also a beginning. With the right digital tools, producers can control their own records. They can prove quality and ethics without needing a third party.
Tools like Strategine’s field data collection systems and traceability tools are built for this shift. They offer a better way to manage data, gain trust, and grow sustainably.
Final Thoughts
Rainforest Alliance is leaving, but the need for trust and traceability is not. Producers can still build credibility and meet market expectations. The key is owning your data and using it well.
It’s time to shift from depending on external seals to building internal systems that are simpler, smarter, and made for the way smallholders actually work.
