The reason behind the rise was post-election conflict in Kenya - one of the world's largest tea exporters - that constrained global supplies and boosted prices earlier this year.

Magwa Tea's general manager, Ian Crawford, said this also opened up an opportunity for Magwa to increase its global market share. Crawford said the devalued rand has also made Magwa's tea more competitive.

"When supply shrank earlier this year, we got into the market and gained the buyer that Kenya lost. We have managed to gain that buyer through improved quality and as long as we continue to produce quality we will maintain that buyer," said Crawford.

The global market price of tea has gone up by nearly 50% from R10.50 to R15.50/kg.

"We used to export 10 to 15% (of Magwa's production) and sold the rest to local buyers who always dictated prices, hence we failed.

"Multinationals in South Africa do not pay the market price, but we are getting a lot of interest from outside the country and we are exporting more.

"We are exporting to China, Pakistan, the UK and are looking for opportunities in the Arab countries in Africa," said Crawford.

Although higher global tea prices are expected to boost Magwa's revenue, it will take another two to three years before the Magwa estate operates above break-even point.

Last year, the tea estate hovered on the brink of closure amid low global market prices and the failure of promised funding from the Eastern Cape government to reach its dried up coffers.

"We have capacity to produce 3.5million kg, but we have only produced 2m kg because we never got funding on time," Crawford said.

He confirmed that the Department of Agriculture had injected funding to the tune of R20 million through Uvimba Bank, with R15m more expected within the next month.

Future challenges facing the tea estate include the rising price of inputs.

"Fertiliser has gone up from R3m to R7m, coal from R450/ton to R1100 and the price of diesel has been on the rise since the beginning of the year," said Crawford.

This winter's warmer weather is expected to yield improved produce.