As I mentioned in my previous post, the business of tea in China is much more dynamic than one might think. (Or at least than I had pondered.) After all they are credited with discovering tea over 5000 years ago, and are one of the top producers in the world. And we know they continue to research the development, growing, processing, and health properties of tea.
Tea is such a vital part of the Chinese culture and economy that there are literally millions of people involved in every aspect of tea. This is part of their strength as a producer as well as a weakness for them in the world market.
Since there are tens of thousands of small tea producers and family farms in the country, they have little presence or influence in the overall market, and hence a difficult time maintaining control, consistency and establishing a distinct identity. As a result, many of their products end up as components in other products according to Mr. Jun Cai, Secretary General, Tea Section of the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Foodstuffs.
Mr. Cai goes on to say that the outlook for small producers is not good until they can build a national identity for tea.
This is similar to brand building in other areas, such as Darjeeling and Assam in India, or high mountain oolongs from Taiwan.
Though China is the birthplace of tea, they need to continually compete in the world market with the other 150+ countries producing tea in order to maintain or grow their image and market share.
Next…How to open a tea shop….in China
It’s a BIG World…Drink it Up!
Tim