15/05/08 13:26
Tea consumption must be boosted to match supply, UN says
Boosting demand for tea is crucial to ensure price stability and returns to developing country producers, according to new report by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
"Expanding consumption in producing countries could ease supply pressure at the world level and improve tea prices in the long run," said the study, prepared for the Intergovernmental Group on Tea whose three-day meeting kicks off today in Hangzhou, China.
Global tea production has continued to surge, rising 3 per cent in 2006, mainly due to record crops in China, Viet Nam and India.
Meanwhile, demand has not matched supply, with consumption only increasing 1 per cent, marking a slowdown from the 2.7 per cent growth rate from the previous decade.
Despite the vigourous economic growth in major tea producing countries, their per capita consumption lags behind. While Russians consume 1.26 kg and the British 2.2 kg annually, Indians take in 0.65 kg and Chinese only 0.53 kg per year.
The FAO report also stressed that enforcing minimum quality standards for tea - though reaching agreement on such benchmarks is complicated - will spur demand.
linkTags: tea, news
09/05/08 19:15
NEW YORK, May 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Tea Council of the USA, Inc. announced today the launch of the 2008 Calm-A-Sutra of Tea(TM), a nationwide scholarship competition awarding one creative student $20,000 towards their education, in an effort to introduce America's young people to the health-related benefits of drinking tea.
The Calm-A-Sutra of Tea is a nationwide search for the most unique and creative way or depiction of drinking tea, specifically black, green, white or oolong tea, all from the Camellia sinensis plant, explained in a one-to-two minute Internet video that incorporates some aspect of tea's many health-related benefits.
As the world's most widely consumed beverage (next to water), tea is great tasting and calorie-free. It contains flavonoids that are believed to be health-protective antioxidants, which ultimately make drinking tea part of a satisfying, healthy lifestyle.
"While educating the public on the emerging science supporting the health-related benefits of drinking tea is one of the Tea Council's main objectives, we also strongly support America's young people seeking a higher education," said Joe Simrany, President of the Tea Council of the USA. "With rising tuition costs, the Calm-A-Sutra of Tea scholarship competition is an ideal vehicle for this Internet generation to pursue in their search for financial aid for the upcoming 2008-2009 school year."
linkTags: tea, news