• Tea Exports on a High | The First Assam Type Indian Genome Decoded |

    India Tea News for the week ending December 13, 2024
    India Tea News | Aravinda Anantharaman

    Powered by RedCircle

    Assam tea origins
    Assam tea origins

    India Tea Exports See Big Increase

    The Tea Board has released data on tea exports for the April – September period, which has indicated an increase in value by 13.18% ($410 million) compared to the same period last year. This corresponds to an increase of 8.67% in volume, to 122.55 mn kilos as against 112.77 mn kilos last year. Data from January to September 2024 shows exports at 190.08 million kg, with 110.69 mn kilos from north India and 79.39 mn kilos from south India. The increase from last year is 28.82 mn kilos. The average price was at Rs 266.45 per kg.

    The First Assam Type Indian Tea Genome Decoded

    In a landmark discovery, a team of scientists from different institutions in India has decoded the first chromosome-scale genome sequence of India’s Assam tea variety TV 1(C. sinensis var assamica), marking a significant advancement in our understanding of tea genetics. The cultivar was released by Tocklai TRI in 1949.

    The study, published in the journal Industrial Crops and Products, provides insights into how Assam tea evolved, developed its distinctive traits, and synthesized caffeine, revealing the genetic adaptations that differentiate it from China tea (C sinensis var. sinensis). By analyzing 150 tea genotypes worldwide, the team identified that Assam and China tea diverged approximately 5.5 million years ago, each adapting to its specific growing conditions—Assam tea in tropical lowlands and China tea in mountainous regions.

    The research revealed over 500 genes in Assam tea shaped by domestication, including genes linked to caffeine production, leaf size, and branching patterns. These traits help explain Assam tea’s robust flavor and adaptability to warm climates. The team also found unique gene fusion events in Assam tea, adding to the understanding of tea’s complex evolutionary mechanisms. This breakthrough can potentially aid tea breeders in developing climate-resilient, high-yielding, and high-quality varieties.

    The multi-institutional collaborative study was funded by the National Tea Research Foundation, Tea Board of India and led by Dr Tapan Kumar Mondal, Principal Scientist Indian Council of Agricultural Research-National Institute for Plant Biotechnology (NIPB), New Delhi; TRA – Tocklai Tea Research Institute (TTRI) Jorhat, UPASI Tea Research Foundation, TRI, Valparai and Darjeeling Tea Research and Development Centre, Tea Board, Kolkata West Bengal. The results of this study are now accessible through the Tea India Genome e-Resource (TIGeR) database.
    — Roopak Goswami

    Episode 198

    Powered by RedCircle

    Subscribe Free

    Latest Tea News

    © 2024 Mystic Media Custom Publishing
    India Tea Newsmakers Contact: Aravinda Anantharaman

    •

    Aravinda Anantharaman

    •

    ,
    , , , , , ,

  • Argentina’s Tea Harvest is Off to a Good Start but Overall Demand is Falling

    Hear the Headlines | 15 November 2024
    Seven Minute Tea News Recap | 15 November 2024
    Argentine Tea Harvest Underway
    Argentine Tea Harvest Underway

    Argentina’s Tea Harvest is Off to a Good Start

    By Dan Bolton

    The Argentine tea harvest began in October, with good weather and high yields per hectare in Misiones, the heart of the country’s tea-producing region.

    Automated harvesters and favorable terrain enable Argentina to supply about half of the black tea consumed in the US. The country has optimized production by adopting vegetative propagation using cultivars with yields as high as 2,500 kilos per hectare. For decades, the harvest averaged 70,000 to 90,000 metric tons annually. However, demand is declining as consumers drink less flavored, artificially colored, sweetened iced tea.

    Argentina exported only 50,000 metric tons of tea last year. Export revenue fell to $58.5 million in 2023, down 10.6% from the previous year. Growers shut down production mid-season after fulfilling their contracts.

    Now, Argentina needs to find new export markets to maintain previous volumes. The domestic market is limited as citizens favor yerba mate by a wide margin, consuming 5.9 kilos per capita annually compared to 250 grams of mainly black tea.

    Sales and traffic manager Pedro Newell at Don Basilio SRL explains that long-term relationships with buyers enable producers to balance supply and demand accurately. He said, “Argentina tea producers have had good production for years. It was only last year that we had to finish harvesting before the season ended and only after we produced what was contracted.”

    Don Basilio, owned by the Okulovich family, is a tea and yerba mate plantation with a history that dates to 1935. There is plenty of capacity to expand production, says Newell. “As long as the U.S. continues to demand iced tea, Argentina will remain a key supplier, drawing on decades of expertise and production capacity to meet this market’s needs. We are not prepared to move away from a market that, although no longer growing, still represents our highest volume demand,” he said. “At the same time, we are open to exploring new markets and co-developing products tailored to specific requirements,” he said.

    He explains that the company is seeking export partners. Expanding into markets like the European Union presents particular challenges, as compliance with their strict PA regulations significantly raises our production costs.” Ensuring compliance requires manual field cleansing, involving teams of 50 to 70 people manually removing weeds across plantations, he said. Don Basilio supplies tea for iced tea blends to Unilever/Ekaterra.

    One possibility is Chile, a big consumer of black tea that has been importing $50 to $75 million annually in the past three years. In 2021, Chile imported $7 million worth of Argentine tea, about 10% of the $63 million Chileans spent on tea imports that year. In contrast, Chile imported 74% of its yerba mate from Argentina last year.

    BIZ INSIGHT – Argentina is a compelling example of how origins that conform to the demands of destination markets can shape their supply chains to prosper in every conceivable way—until the market does an about-face.

    Episode 194

    Subscribe Free
    Dan Bolton
    East Africa 2023

    Dan Bolton | Podcast Host

    Dan is a content creator who fosters genuine connections globally through informative, educational, and captivating conversations centered on tea. Tea Biz Blog | Podcast

    Follow Me On LinkedIn

    Powered by RedCircle

    2021

    Episodes 1-49

    2022

    Episodes 50-96

    2023

    Episodes 97-148

    •

    Dan Bolton

    •

    , , , , , , , , , ,

  • LB Brewers Launch India’s First Tea Beer | Regen Agri Certification Planned | Assam Launches Mobile Medical Units For Tea Gardens

    By Aravinda Anantharaman | Editor

    India Tea News for the week ending November 15, 2024
    India Tea News | Aravinda Anantharaman

    Powered by RedCircle

    Latambarcem Brewers
    Goa-based Latambarcem Brewers (LB)

    India Gets First Bottled Tea Beer

    India’s Latambarcem Brewers (LB Brewers) has teamed up with Taiwan’s Jim and Dad’s Brewing Company to introduce India’s first bottled tea beer, called MAKA di Oo-Long Blanche.

    This beer blends Taiwanese Xiangzhuang Red Oolong tea with Belgian Blanche brewing techniques and will be available only in Goa and Taipei. The beer, priced at Rs 150 and with 4.5% ABV, should appeal to craft beer enthusiasts. LB Brewers’ last launch was the MAKA di Rocket Rice Lager. They are firmly looking at securing a top position in the global craft beer market.

    Maka Beer
    Maka Beer

    LB Brewers, located in Dicholi, Goa, was founded in 2017 by brothers Anish and Aditya Ishan Varshnei.

    Regen Agri Certification Announced

    Solidaridad Network Asia and the Indian Tea Association (ITA) have announced the Regenagri certification will be launched on 15th November. This was announced at the ITA’s AGM last week when Chairman Hemant Bangur said that carbon credits will offset the price deficit between the cost of production and the price of tea. Solidaridad’s MD, Shatadru Chattaopadhyay said that they expected to cover 100,000 hectares in the next three years and 400,000 hectares by 2030. Luxmi Tea and Rossell Tea are expected to be part of it. The certification is said to improve plantation’s resilience to climate impact, generate carbon credit and continue access to the EU market by meeting European Green Regulations.

    Assam Launches Mobile Medical Units

    The Assam state government launched Mobile Medical Units (MMUs) for tea garden workers and their families in remote areas. The program includes 80 MMUs to serve 514 tea garden areas. The MMU can offer a range of services, including free medicines, diagnostic tests, and medical consultations. This will be offered at no cost to the residents.

    Episode 194

    Powered by RedCircle

    Subscribe Free

    Latest Tea News

    © 2024 Mystic Media Custom Publishing
    India Tea Newsmakers Contact: Aravinda Anantharaman

    •

    Aravinda Anantharaman

    •

    ,
    , , , , , , , , ,

  • Hainan Tea: A Breakthrough Discovery in Camellia Sinensis Research

    Hear the Headlines
    Hear the Headlines | Seven Minute Tea News Recap
    Newly discovered Hainan Island tea varietal.
    Newly discovered Hainan Island tea varietal.

    Researchers Find Unique Genetics in Tea Plants Grown on the Island

    By Roopak Goswami

    In the world of tea, Hainan Island, located near the South China Coast, has remained an enigma—until now.

    In a groundbreaking study, scientists have confirmed the discovery of a new, independently evolved variety of Hainan tea through genome resequencing. This discovery sheds light on the unique genetic background of tea plants grown in the island’s tropical environment. The study, conducted by researchers from the Yunnan Agricultural University and Hainan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, marks a significant milestone in tea research, especially given Hainan’s historically understudied tea resources.

    Hainan Island, known for its rich biodiversity and unique geographical conditions, has long been a significant tea-growing region. However, the tea species on the island were previously misclassified due to their similarities with the well-known Camellia sinensis var. assamica. The team collected 500 tea samples from various regions on the island, using advanced whole-genome resequencing techniques to analyze the genetic differences between Hainan tea and other cultivated varieties. The study revealed that Hainan tea forms a distinct taxonomic group, separate from the widely cultivated C. sinensis and C. sinensis var. assamica.

    Sample collection locations
    Sample collection locations
    Hainan Tea Discovery
    Hainan tea forms a distinct taxonomic group.

    “Although Hainan Island is rich in wild tea tree resources and possesses vast plantation areas of rainforest tea trees, tea tree resources have not yet been comprehensively investigated and fully developed.”

    The discovery expands our understanding of tea plant diversity and opens new possibilities for conservation and breeding programs. The high genetic diversity of Hainan tea, bolstered by its unique evolutionary history, positions it as a valuable resource for future molecular breeding and conservation efforts. Additionally, the findings could serve as a framework for studying other plant species unique to Hainan, providing insights into the island’s ecosystem and its potential for agricultural innovation. This discovery positions Hainan tea as a vital genetic resource for the tea industry, with potential conservation and molecular breeding applications.

    Pluckers at work. Photo courtesy Marco Bertona
    Pluckers at work. Photos courtesy Marco Bertona, Executive Director of the Italy Tea & Infusions Association (Assoc Te Infusi)

    Episode 191

    Subscribe Free
    Dan Bolton
    East Africa 2023

    Dan Bolton | Podcast Host

    Dan is a content creator who fosters genuine connections globally through informative, educational, and captivating conversations centered on tea. Tea Biz Blog | Podcast

    Follow Me On LinkedIn
    2021

    Episodes 1-49

    2022

    Episodes 50-96

    2023

    Episodes 97-148

    Powered by RedCircle

    •

    Roopak Goswami

    •

    , , , , , , , , ,

  • Singtom Tea Garden Bungalows In Darjeeling Burn | Kangra Tea Promotion Plans Announced | Ratan Tata Passes Away at 86

    By Aravinda Anantharaman | Editor

    India Tea News for the week ending October 18, 2024
    India Tea News | Aravinda Anantharaman

    Powered by RedCircle

    Ratan N. Tata

    Singtom Tea Gardens in Darjeeling Burn Down

    On October 9th, the bungalow of the assistant manager of Singtom tea estate burned down. A few days later, on October 13th, the manager’s bungalow caught fire. The workers alerted the police and the fire department, but the bungalows were destroyed. Police say arson has not been ruled out.

    Singtom tea estate has been closed since September 25th following the recent bonus discussions. Unions in Darjeeling have demanded 20%, and as protests intensified, the manager and assistant manager of the Singtom Tea Estate chose to leave without notice about three weeks ago. This was likely done out of fear of the protests escalating. Meanwhile, the dispatch of tea from the gardens has been stopped, and unsold tea is piling up in the hill town. Singtom employs around 680 workers, who have said they have not received any bonus payments. Both sides – the management and workers – are now stuck in limbo, and losses extend to both. As it happened, the bungalows that burned down were part of Singtom’s hospitality offering, which brought additional revenue to the company.

    Kangra Tea Board Seeks To Promote Tea In Airports and Stations

    At the 250th board meeting of the Tea Board India held in Palampur, discussions included promoting Kangra tea. Consequently, there are plans to improve the tea’s visibility in the market. The Tea Board plans to leverage resources from the recently announced Tea Development and Promotion Scheme for campaigns and sustained brand promotion. Plans include airports and railway stations. Incidentally, the East India Company’s tea promotion campaign included the extensive railway network they had built to introduce and promote tea to the Indian market.

    Ratan N. Tata Passes Away

    Indian industrialist and Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons and the Tata Group, Ratan Naval Tata, passed away on 9th October. He was 86. Under his leadership, the Tata Group became a formidable and profitable business conglomerate with a strong global footprint. The tea industry, in particular, found an ally in Mr Tata. Under his leadership, Tata Tea went from being a tea plantation business to a consumer tea brand, making packaged and branded tea accessible to consumers. In 2005, he decided to exit the plantation business in Munnar, but rather than sell the company, he offered it to employees who continue to be shareholders of the Kanan Devan Hills Plantation Ltd. In the east, Tata Tea was divested from the plantation business in 2007. During Ratan Tata’s leadership, Tata Tea acquired Tetley, a well-established brand valued at nearly four times Tata’s net worth. It was described as “the audacious acquisition of a global shark by an Indian minnow.” At the time, it was the most significant cross-border acquisition of an international brand by an Indian company. His business achievements run long, but beyond that, Tata will be remembered for his humility, love for dogs, and legacy of philanthropy that impacted everything from cancer research to sanitation—a person who made a difference.

    Episode 190

    Powered by RedCircle

    Subscribe Free

    Latest India Tea News

    © 2024 Mystic Media Custom Publishing
    India Tea Newsmakers Contact: Aravinda Anantharaman

    •

    Aravinda Anantharaman

    •

    ,
    , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Verified by MonsterInsights