The Asia Pacific region is a significant contributor to global tea production and export, accounting for over 70% of the world’s tea supply. Sustainable tea production has seen steady growth across the region, with India, Sri Lanka, and China leading the way. By 2022, around 20% of tea produced in the Asia Pacific was certified as sustainable. The exports of sustainable tea from the region have also risen, with more than 10% of tea exports in 2022 coming from certified sustainable producers, reflecting the region's increasing focus on responsible and ethical production practices.

A SIP OF CHANGE  FROM ASIA AND PACIFIC

Fairtrade Tea Production and Sale

Fairtrade tea production offers plantation workers and small-scale farmers in the Asia-Pacific region a pathway to fair wages, decent working conditions, and long-term sustainability. Fairtrade tea is primarily produced in three key countries—India, Sri Lanka and China—which are also significant contributors to global tea exports. In 2019-22, more than 100000 MT of tea produced in the region with India contributing to almost  62% of the total volume despite facing challenges in 2020/2021 only to make a remarkable recovery the following year, followed by Sri Lanka with 31% and China with 7 percent. 

While production in Bangladesh and Vietnam has slowed, the overall regional performance bounced back after a dip, demonstrating the enduring strength of Fairtrade tea in supporting farmers and workers across the region.

In 2022, +3000 MT of tea was sold from the region with 72% of sales coming from organic tea. This growing preference for ethically sourced and environmentally friendly tea reflects a shift towards more conscious consumer choices. Fairtrade certification further enhances this demand, ensuring that the tea is not only produced sustainably but also under fair working conditions that benefit plantation workers and small-scale farmers. 

Overview of Tea Producers

The Fairtrade tea network in the Asia-Pacific region is a vibrant and diverse ecosystem, empowering over 47,000 farmers and workers across seven countries.

With 64 Fairtrade Certified Tea Producer Organizations (POs), split evenly between 32 Hired Labour Plantations (HL) and 32 Small Producer Organizations (SPO), here farmers and workers are at the heart of sustainable and ethical tea production. 

Gender inclusivity is a key feature of our movement, with a balanced 49% male and 54% female workforce driving the production of the finest Fairtrade-certified tea, ensuring that every cup you enjoy supports fairness, sustainability, and empowerment.

Industry challenges

The global tea industry, steeped in tradition and consumed by millions, faces a set of challenges that span environmental, social, and economic dimensions.

• Labour Conditions and Fair Wages: Labor conditions in tea plantations have been a longstanding concern. Workers, often in developing regions, face challenges such as low wages, long working hours and inadequate living conditions. The wages of tea plantation workers in India, for example, are the lowest of any employment sector.
  
• Climate Change Impact: Climate change is hitting both the quality and quantity of tea grown worldwide. In China, drought caused spring harvests in 2023 to fall 20 percent, while in Kenya and Malawi tea production is predicted to decline by the 2050s and fall significantly further by the 2080s.
• Market Volatility and Price Fluctuations: The tea market is susceptible to price volatility, impacting the income of tea growers. Fluctuations in global tea prices can lead to financial uncertainty for smallholder farmers. Establishing mechanisms to stabilize prices and providing support to tea producers during periods of market instability are essential for the economic resilience of the industry.

WHY CHOOSE FAIRTRADE TEA?

Global tea supply chains are often complex and involve many players. Fairtrade enhances fairness and transparency in these networks, promoting ethical practices and improving the livelihoods of tea producers.

• Adequate Livelihoods: Fairtrade-certified tea organisations receive a Fairtrade Minimum Price for their tea. This price varies according to regional conditions and production methods, with a higher price, e.g. for organic tea. The Fairtrade Minimum Price functions as a safety net protecting tea farmers from market fluctuations. Additionally, Fairtrade organisations receive a financial Fairtrade Premium, the use of which is collectively determined by cooperative members or plantation workers.
• Gender Equality: The Fairtrade Standards promote gender equality. The criteria within the standards prohibit gender-specific discrimination and, for example, pregnancy tests during recruitment, foster a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual harassment and mandate support for disadvantaged groups and minorities. Binding policies for gender equality are also required.
  
• Climate Resilience: Fairtrade provides training opportunities and support to make tea cultivation more sustainable and resilient to climate change. This includes prohibiting deforestation, promoting the careful and efficient use of water resources, encouraging drought-resistant plant varieties and diversifying income sources.
  
• Collaboration for Better Wages: As a member of the Global Living Wage Coalition, Fairtrade works with other organisations to develop living wage benchmarks for tea plantation workers. These benchmarks consider essential needs such as education, healthcare, secure housing and nutritious food, serving as guidelines to ensure a decent life for workers. To date, these benchmarks have been established for the tea sector in Kenya, India, Sri Lanka and Malawi.

Support Farmers. Choose Fairtrade Tea.

When you choose Fairtrade tea, you’re not just enjoying a cup of tea—you’re supporting ethical practices that benefit farmers and their communities. Your purchase helps to create a sustainable and equitable future for tea growers in Asia.

For more information write to us at comms@fairtradenapp.org