Background
We have celebrated the first official International Tea Day on 21 May 2020. Various tea producing countries have been celebrating this Day on 15 December since 2005.
This Day’s key objective is to raise awareness about the history and the cultural, social and economic importance of tea. And also about its health benefits.
It comes as no surprise that the United Nations chose this date because most tea production worldwide starts in May.
The origin of this Day dates back to 2005 when small tea growers and civil society organisations in Africa and Asia started raising awareness of the key vulnerabilities faced by small farmers. Those were and are still related to small wages, poor living conditions and unfair prices. Moreover, in recent years, climate change tea has significantly affected tea growers all over the world. Rural to urban migration has reduced the number of people working on tea farms. And let’s not forget the impact that the global pandemic has had on logistics and distribution.
Tea and sustainable development
According to the United Nations, tea production contributes to 4 of its Sustainable Development Goals – Goal 1) the reduction of extreme poverty – Goal 2) the fight against hunger – Goal 5) the empowerment of women – Goal 15) the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems. You can read more about the decision to designate 21 May as International Tea Day from the UN’s Resolution. The UN also noted: ‘Tea is central to many cultures, and it contributes to employment, exports earnings and food security’.
Indeed, the tea industry employs millions of people. In 2019, global tea production reached 6.1 million metric tons, increasing year on year from 3.15 million metric tons in 2004. The 2016-2020 average export value exceeded slightly £6 million. Moreover, the value of the global tea market is expected to increase materially by 2025.
Tea production and exports generate foreign exchange and employment. The resulting higher income helps cover food bills and decreases the chances of people feeling food insecure. More details on this can be found in this report from the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation.
In addition, what’s going on in the tea world has an impact on the hospitality and tourism sectors too.
Themes of the Day
In 2020, the theme of the Day was ‘Harnessing benefits for all from field to cup’ where the focus was on making tea production sustainable along the supply and value chains so that we and future generations can all enjoy the benefits of tea.
In 2021, the theme is ‘Tea and fair trade’ to make the point that fair trade can improve the living conditions of those tea growers from poor areas.
I was very glad when I hear the news of an International Tea Day and I am fully supportive. I am hopeful that its reach will expand year on year and, above all, that we all can help meet its goals sooner rather than later.
Happy International Tea Day!
