Dubai hosts Global Tea Forum tomorrow

The 6th edition of the Global Dubai Tea Forum, hosted by Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), will take place from 5th-7th April 2016.

The forum is expected to draw more than 300 delegates from over 30 tea producing and consuming countries, bringing together producers, merchant exporters, buyers, blenders, machine manufacturers, raw material suppliers and government entities to discuss opportunities and challenges in the industry.

In 2015, the DMCC Tea Centre handled 41 million kilos of tea through its centre in Dubai with a growth rate of 208% over the past three years. It currently processes teas from 13 different countries including Kenya, India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Mozambique, Vietnam, Japan, Uganda, and China.

Sanjeev Dutta, Director, DMCC Tea Centre, said, "The UAE is a global trade gateway, and plays a prominent role in the re-export of many of the world’s bulk goods and commodities. Today, the country is the world’s largest re-exporter of tea, thanks to the DMCC Tea Centre. We have seen substantial growth and we will continue to deliver industry-leading products as well as diversifying our portfolio to include more speciality and flavoured teas, while reinforcing our position as an industry partner."

In early 2014, the DMCC Tea Centre initiated a two-year capital expenditure programme into new facilities, spanning a total area of 24,000 square metres. Offering a wide range of business services and access to a growing community of producers and traders, the DMCC Tea Centre provides a full-service platform for companies looking to set up tea trading operations in Dubai including storage and blending facilities, and a professional advisory and tea tasting service for international tea producers and buyers alike.

Dutta added, "Our goal is to connect market participants in the global tea industry and to enhance the value of goods across the supply chain.

The 6th edition of the Global Dubai Tea Forum is the perfect platform to unlock new opportunities for the tea sector and strengthen international trading ties and industry relations. We look forward to welcoming the community to the Global Dubai Trade Forum in April."

Tea is one of the most popular beverages, with a global industry worth about $38 billion. Since the start of 21st century, the tea industry has seen a steady increase in the overall area under tea, growing at an average rate of 3.42% a year.

Today, tea is cultivated across 3.7 million hectares of land globally, and produces an annual crop of 4,100 tonnes. Amongst tea producing countries, China, India, Sri Lanka, Kenya and Indonesia account for 77% of the world’s production and 80% of global exports.

Source:WAM