On International Tea Day, UN again calls on fair trade, investment in tea-producing regions
Over the years, the tea sector has grown to become a multi-billion-dollar industry that can support economies of major tea-producing countries, including South Africa, which exports rooibos tea to over 30 countries.
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JOHANNESBURG - The United Nations (UN) again called on fair trade and investment in tea-producing regions as the world marked International Tea Day on Tuesday.
The day is devoted to recognising the contributions of the tea industry and promoting sustainable production.
By some estimates, tea is the second most consumed beverage after water, even beating coffee in some parts of the world.
The day was initially launched by trade unions, small tea growers, and civil society organisations in Asia and Africa to address living wages for workers and fair prices for small tea producers.
Over the years, the tea sector has grown to become a multi-billion-dollar industry that can support economies of major tea-producing countries.
This includes South Africa, which exports rooibos tea to over 30 countries, such as Germany and the Netherlands.
Rooibos has gained a strong foothold in global markets, with hundreds of millions of rands of annual exports in 2022.
Locally, rooibos tea is the most expensive in KwaZulu-Natal, with a pack of about 80 teabags priced at almost R50.
Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) said you’re likely to pay the most, over R60, for a pack of 100 black teabags in North West and only half that amount in KwaZulu-Natal.
The UN said the day remains important for highlighting the labour conditions faced by tea producers and the changing tea marketplace.