NPK 26:5:5 + S + Zn + B — KTDA Tea Specification
Specification
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Total nitrogen (N) | 26% ± 1 |
| Total phosphate (P₂O₅) | 5% ± 1 |
| Potassium (K₂O) | 5% ± 1 |
| Sulphur (S) | minimum dosage per KTDA spec |
| Zinc (Zn) | minimum dosage per KTDA spec |
| Boron (B) | minimum dosage per KTDA spec |
| Mass fraction of water | ≤ 1.8% |
| Granulometric composition | per KTDA spec — typically 2.0–5.0 mm |
| Static strength of granule | ≥ 3 kgf per granule |
Standards: KS 1900-7:2011 / KS EAS 750 (compound NPK), KS 158:2018 (sampling), plus KTDA-issued tender technical specification.
The 26:5:5 + S + Zn + B blend is custom-formulated for the KTDA tea programme. The high-N, low-P, low-K profile reflects the agronomic reality of well-established Kenyan tea on volcanic soils where P and K are typically not limiting and N drives flush volume. The micro-nutrient package — S, Zn, B — addresses the acid-soil deficiencies documented in Murang'a, Kiambu, Nyeri, Kericho, Bomet, Nandi, Trans Nzoia, Meru, Embu and Kisii tea zones.
Origin and Blending
The NPK 26:5:5 specification is met by blending nitrogen straights (urea, ammonium sulphate, ammonium nitrate) with phosphate, potash and micro-nutrient feeds. Originators on the panel supply Russian, Kazakh and Uzbek producers with NPK blending capacity, with final blend QC at the load port. Origin straights:
- Nitrogen: Russian or Kazakh urea (GOST 2081-2010, ≥ 46.2% N) and Russian or Kazakh ammonium sulphate or ammonium nitrate.
- Phosphate: Russian or Kazakh DAP (NP 18:46) or MAP, blended down to the 5% P specification.
- Potash: MOP from non-designated Russian producers (Uralkali, EuroChem; K₂O ≥ 60%), blended down to the 5% K specification. Belaruskali / BPC: removed from OFAC SDN on 26 March 2026 (OFAC GL 14); UK OFSI asset-freeze and EU Reg 765/2006 designations remain in force; Sarpah does not introduce Belaruskali / BPC pending UK / EU resolution.
- Sulphur: elemental sulphur or sulphate-bearing nitrogen carrier.
- Zinc and Boron: added per KTDA technical specification.
Loadports
Custom blending requires a producer or trading-house facility capable of compound formulation. Sarpah's panel options:
| Corridor | Port | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Black Sea | Novorossiysk | SGS inspection; major NPK blending plant access |
| Black Sea (transit) | Poti | Bureau Veritas; transit blending available |
| Baltic | Ust-Luga | Russian non-designated MOP and NPK directly accessible (Belaruskali / BPC not in scope) |
| Far East | Vladivostok | Asian-origin micro-nutrients available |
Volume
10,000–50,000 MT per shipment. The KTDA annual tender of 99,875 MT (2025 cycle) is typically split across 2–4 lots and 3–6 supplier-awards.
Delivery Terms
CFR / CIF Mombasa preferred. KTDA tender SPAs typically specify CFR Mombasa with onward inland delivery to designated KTDA factories.
Payment
Buyer's bank issues; seller's bank advises or — where required — confirms. Sarpah is not on the instrument chain.
KTDA tender SPAs typically structure payment as:
- 30% advance against MT103 with APG under URDG 758
- 70% against shipping documents under irrevocable DLC under UCP 600
OR full DLC at sight against shipping documents — terms per the tender award.
Bid bond (if tendering directly): 2–5% of bid value, URDG 758 instrument, valid for tender period plus 30 days.
Performance bond on contract execution: 5–10% of contract value, URDG 758 instrument, valid for contract term plus 30 days, Article 23 extend-or-pay clause active.
Application
KTDA NPK 26:5:5 is the foundation top-dressing fertilizer for the smallholder tea sub-sector — over 700,000 farmers organised through 70+ KTDA-managed factories. Application: typically 250–400 kg per hectare, applied in the tea cycle's flush periods to drive bud development. The high-N profile sustains the productive flushing pattern that Kenyan smallholder tea is built on.
The fertilizer is packed in 50-kg and 25-kg bags per KTDA tender specification. Subsidised retail price in 2025: KES 2,500 per 50-kg bag, retained at this level following state intervention in October 2024 against an unsubsidised market price of KES 6,500.
Compliance
- KEBS Certificate of Conformity issued at load port. KEBS Diamond Mark licensing is held by KTDA Holdings; the import-stage compliance is the supplier's responsibility through KEBS PVoC.
- Certificate of Origin from origin Chamber of Commerce. Multi-origin blends require composite COO or per-component COOs as specified in the tender.
- Certificate of Analysis at the blend's load port; KTDA reserves the right to re-test on arrival via accredited laboratories.
- EAC CET: HS 3105.20.00 (compound NPK). Duty 0%. VAT exempt under Finance Act 2025.
The KTDA Tender Cycle
KTDA Management Services (procurement arm of KTDA Holdings) issues the NPK 26:5:5 tender annually. Recent cycles:
| Year | Volume (MT) | Awardee notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 87,101 | Multi-supplier award |
| 2023 | 92,290 | Multi-supplier award |
| 2024 | 97,000 | Multi-supplier award |
| 2025 | 99,875 | Awarded to Oriole Homes Ltd on 14 May 2025 |
The 2026 cycle is expected to open Q1–Q2 2026. Volume guidance suggests continued ~3% YoY growth tracking smallholder farmer enrolment. Pre-qualification typically requires:
- FAFB Cap 345 registration
- KEBS-registered product
- Demonstrated capacity to deliver 25,000+ MT lots
- Bid bond under URDG 758 (typically KES 50–200 million depending on tender lot)
- Letter of credit support from a CBK-licensed bank
- ISO 9001:2015 supplier certification
- Track record of supplying NPK 26:5:5 to KTDA standard
Sarpah supports KTDA tender bidders with origination, document chain, bid bond placement and performance bond support through CBK-licensed Kenyan banks (KCB, Equity, Stanbic, NCBA).
Procurement Profile
| Buyer Type | Volume Range | Cycle |
|---|---|---|
| KTDA Management Services | 99,875 MT (2025); 25,000+ MT lots | Annual, awarded Q1–Q2 |
| Direct large estates (private tea) | 1,500–5,000 MT per quarter | Recurring |
| Coffee-tea estate hybrid | 500–2,000 MT per quarter | Flush-cycle |
Indicative Pricing
Indicative pricing on enquiry — see /buyer-process; tender-specific pricing on enquiry.
Talk to us
Specify whether engagement is for KTDA tender support or direct estate supply, volume, target shipment window, and tender reference (if applicable).