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Tea markets closed ISO Week 15 with conditions still stable—but with a subtle shift in what is driving that stability. Across the major auction centers—Colombo, North India, Mombasa, and Indonesia—buyer activity remained steady, but highly selective. Demand continues to focus on teas needed for immediate blending and export commitments, with well-made teas attracting consistent competition. | At the same time, secondary teas continue to face a more difficult environment. Clearance often requires price adjustment, reinforcing the widening gap between premium and standard quality across the catalog.| Podlink signup: https://pod.link/1549975153 Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Specialty tea has long defined quality through craftsmanship, origin, and terroir. These pillars have shaped how producers grow tea, how buyers evaluate it, and how consumers understand value in the cup. But a new layer is emerging—one that shifts attention beneath the surface. As environmental pressures intensify across global agriculture, regenerative farming is entering the tea conversation. Its focus on soil health, biodiversity, and ecosystem resilience introduces a deeper question: not just where tea is grown, but how the land itself is managed over time. In this episode, Bernadine Tay, President of the European SpecialityTea Association, explores whether regenerative agriculture will remain a sustainability sidebar—or reshape how quality itself is defined. “The adoption of regenerative tea farming may redefine tea quality, says Tay, but only if the industry gets it right.” BIO: Bernadine’s background spans sourcing, judging, training, and industry advocacy, with a focus on translating origin practices into credible market signals. At ESTA, she is helping guide the definition, evaluation, and communication of emerging frameworks—such as regenerative agriculture—ensuring that new narratives are grounded in verifiable practice rather than marketing abstraction. She is the founder of Quinteassential [www.quinteassential.co.uk], a UK-based tea design and consultancy company working with leading hospitality groups to develop tea programs, blends, and experiences that elevate tea to the level of fine food and beverage. With a background in Biomedical Science, Bernadine brings a structured, evidence-led approach to tea, bridging sensory expertise with scientific understanding of wellness and composition. | Podlink signup: https://pod.link/1549975153 Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

War Costs Mount | China Opens Zero-Tariff Access—But Compliance Decides Who Benefits | US Tariff Refunds Begin April 20: What Tea Importers Need to Do Now | Podlink signup: https://pod.link/1549975153 Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

War Costs Mount | China Opens Zero-Tariff Access—But Compliance Decides Who Benefits | US Tariff Refunds Begin April 20: What Tea Importers Need to Do Now | NEWSMAKER – Bernadine Tay, President of the European Speciality Tea Association | PLUS | Specialty tea has long defined quality through craftsmanship, origin, and terroir. These pillars have shaped how producers grow tea, how buyers evaluate it, and how consumers understand value in the cup. But a new layer is emerging—one that shifts attention beneath the surface. As environmental pressures intensify across global agriculture, regenerative farming is entering the tea conversation. Its focus on soil health, biodiversity, and ecosystem resilience introduces a deeper question: not just where tea is grown, but how the land itself is managed over time. In this episode, Bernadine Tay, President of the European Speciality Tea Association, explores whether regenerative agriculture will remain a sustainability sidebar—or reshape how quality itself is defined. | Podlink signup: https://pod.link/1549975153 Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Tea markets closed ISO Week 13 with prices still largely influenced by quality, buyer selectivity, and disciplined exporter behavior rather than any broad increase in demand. Reports from the current week suggest a generally stable but uneven market across all major auction centers, with strength mainly in well-produced teas and growing pressure on secondary descriptions. Colombo (Sri Lanka) Prices averaged $3.21/kg this week, ↓ -$0.02/kg from the previous week, reflecting fair demand but softer performance in parts of the premium and Ex-Estate catalogs amid increased offerings. North India (Kolkata / Siliguri / Guwahati) Prices averaged $1.88/kg, ↑ +$0.09/kg, supported by stronger demand and improved Tea Board benchmark averages. Mombasa (Kenya / East Africa) Prices averaged $2.21/kg, ↓ -$0.01/kg, reflecting steady but slightly easier conditions with unsold volumes in key grades. Indonesia Prices averaged $2.41/kg, ↑ +$0.01/kg, supported by improved demand and tighter offerings. Across the tea lands pricing was mixed. Clearance remains orderly but selective, with persistent unsold volumes in East Africa and uneven performance across Colombo catalogues. Visit www.teajourney.pub and select Tea Price Report for a detailed regional breakdown, six-month trade signals, and a near-term outlook for Q1 pricing dynamics. | (https://teajourney.pub/tea-price-report/) | Podlink signup: https://pod.link/1549975153 Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

World Tea Expo was once the center of gravity for the specialty tea trade in North America—a place where retailers, importers, and producers aligned around a shared vision of quality, origin, and education. In 2026, that center has shifted. The show floor is busier. The audience is broader. Matcha and Japanese green tea suppliers were highly visible thanks to Government-backed export programs. The Tea Board-sponsored pavilions from past years, representing Sri Lanka, India, and Africa, were not. Lipton Tea made its first appearance at the show with foodservice offerings. Innovation is increasingly shaped by trends in café and beverage service. But beneath the energy is a structural question: When a trade show grows by changing its audience, does it also change its purpose? For some exhibitors, this is an expansion. For others, it is displacement. And for the industry, it may mark the beginning of a new phase—where tea no longer defines the room, but competes within it. | Podlink signup: https://pod.link/1549975153 Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

One Year After Tariffs: The Tea Industry’s Costly Lesson | ONTHEFLOOR at World Tea Expo l Regulatory Shock: EU Tightens MRL Enforcement | Podlink signup: https://pod.link/1549975153 Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

One Year After Tariffs: The Tea Industry’s Costly Lesson | ONTHEFLOOR at World Tea Expo l Regulatory Shock: EU Tightens MRL Enforcement NEWSMAKER – Host Dan Bolton PLUS | World Tea Expo - A Show Transformed | This week, we’re on the floor at World Tea Expo in Las Vegas—where the show has quietly transformed. No longer a standalone tea event, it’s now embedded inside a broader bar and restaurant ecosystem. Traffic is up. Matcha is everywhere. But for specialty tea, the question is sharper than ever: Is this still our show—or has the market moved somewhere else? | Podlink signup: https://pod.link/1549975153 Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Tea markets closed ISO Week 11 with price discovery still driven more by quality and execution than by broad demand expansion.  In Colombo, the latest broker-published weekly comparison available during the week showed sales averaged $3.68 per kilo for the 4 March sale, down from $3.85 per kilo for the prior 25 February sale. So Colombo softened on that measure, even as better-made teas continued to attract support. In India, the weekly benchmark picture was incomplete. Disruptions in market demand are apparent due to widespread conflict in the Middle East and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Tea Board India published a North India average for the week ending 14 March, but the prior week was marked as not sold, so there is no clean week-over-week comparison. In East Africa, Mombasa remained active with fair general demand and selective absorption. Indonesia’s market remained selective and quality-sensitive. Across origins, the key signal remains the widening gap between dependable manufacture and ordinary teas. Better-made teas continue to clear with disciplined competition, while plainer descriptions require price adjustment. | Podlink signup: https://pod.link/1549975153 Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Few specialty retailers have expanded as successfully—or as thoughtfully—as The Spice & Tea Exchange https://www.spiceandtea.com/. Founded during the depths of the 2008 financial crisis, the brand has grown from a single shop in St. Augustine, Florida, into a nationwide franchise with more than 90 locations. | At the heart of that growth is CEO and co-founder Amy Freeman, whose approach combines entrepreneurial discipline with a strong belief in hospitality, storytelling, and sensory retail. Instead of standardizing stores into uniform outlets, Freeman has created a model that promotes local experimentation, community engagement, and hands-on exploration of spices, loose-leaf teas, and culinary ingredients. The company offers over 600 exclusive products, curated by both in-house spice masters and spice masters at franchise locations.| In this Tea Biz Spotlight interview, Amy discusses expanding a franchise network while maintaining authenticity, lessons learned from the pandemic, and why immersive retail and education remain vital for the future of specialty loose-leaf tea.| BIO: Amy Freeman, CEO and Co-Founder of The Spice & Tea Exchange, leads with a philosophy rooted in servant leadership, community connection, and empowering franchisees to create locally relevant offerings while maintaining brand standards. Under her guidance, the company has expanded its loose-leaf tea portfolio to over 85 varieties and continues to innovate across culinary teas, regional blends, and immersive retail experiences. | This distinction reflects Amy’s deep expertise in franchise development, operations, and brand growth, as well as her unwavering commitment to upholding the highest standards and best practices within the franchise community. | Podlink signup: https://pod.link/1549975153 Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Hormuz Shockwaves Reshape Global Tea Trade and Freight Risk | India-U.S. Trade Pact Could Reopen U.S. Market Access for Indian Tea | DMCC Reveals New Details on 600-Metre Uptown Dubai Megatall Tower | Podlink signup: https://pod.link/1549975153 Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Hormuz Shockwaves Reshape Global Tea Trade and Freight Risk | India-U.S. Trade Pact Could Reopen U.S. Market Access for Indian Tea | DMCC Reveals New Details on 600-Metre Uptown Dubai Megatall Tower NEWSMAKER – Amy Freeman, CEO and Co-Founder Spice & Tea Exchange PLUS | Tea Discovery Drives Retail Growth | Few specialty retailers have expanded as successfully—or as thoughtfully—as The Spice & Tea Exchange. Founded during the depths of the 2008 financial crisis, the brand has grown from a single shop in St. Augustine, Florida, into a nationwide franchise with more than 90 locations. At the heart of that growth is CEO and co-founder Amy Freeman, whose approach combines entrepreneurial discipline with a strong belief in hospitality, storytelling, and sensory retail. Instead of standardizing stores into uniform outlets, Freeman has created a model that promotes local experimentation, community engagement, and hands-on exploration of spices, loose-leaf teas, and culinary ingredients. In our conversation this week, Amy discusses expanding a franchise network while maintaining authenticity, lessons learned from the pandemic, and why immersive retail and education remain vital for the future of specialty loose-leaf tea. | Podlink signup: https://pod.link/1549975153 Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Tea auctions closed Week 9 broadly steady across Colombo, North India, Mombasa, and Indonesia, but dispersion inside catalogues continued to widen. Benchmark averages remain range-bound, yet price realization is increasingly determined on an invoice-by-invoice basis. Premium, well-made teas cleared competitively, particularly brighter liquoring high-grown and consistent liquidity grades, while secondary and mixed descriptions met selective demand or discounted outcomes.| Colombo: USD 4.17/kg (Week 9) | USD 4.18/kg (prior week) | North India: Prices averaged approximately USD 2.93/kg (Week 9) | USD 2.94/kg (prior week) | East Africa: Prices averaged USD 2.27/kg (Week 9) | USD 2.18/kg (prior week) | Indonesia: Prices averaged approximately USD 1.18/kg (Week 9) | USD 1.19/kg (prior week) | Podlink signup: https://pod.link/1549975153 Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Traceability is quickly becoming one of the defining challenges in the global tea trade. Consumers want to know where their tea comes from, how it was produced, and whether environmental and labor standards are being met. At the same time, governments are tightening regulations, brands are facing new compliance requirements, and importers are seeking better visibility into sourcing risks. | The Tea Biz State of the Industry 2026 report describes Sustainability Compliance as the transition from voluntary sustainability claims to verifiable supply-chain data. What used to be marketing is now infrastructure. Companies are being asked not simply to say where tea comes from, but to prove it. | BIO: Samuel Lambert is a supply-chain technology entrepreneur and co-founder of ZenGate Global, the builders behind the Palmyra Platform, a digital infrastructure designed to capture and verify agricultural supply-chain data. His work focuses on building traceability systems that integrate farmers, cooperatives, exporters, and brands into a single structured data environment. Lambert’s projects span multiple commodities—including coffee, cocoa, honey, and tea—and frequently involve mapping farms, verifying production data, and integrating satellite, geospatial, and blockchain technologies into existing trade systems. His work has focused heavily on emerging markets in Africa and Southeast Asia, where fragmented supply chains make reliable data capture difficult but increasingly essential. Lambert advocates a pragmatic approach to transparency—one that strengthens existing trade architecture while enabling new forms of decision intelligence built on structured supply-chain data. He is a graduate of the Australian National University with degrees in finance, economics and statistics. | Podlink signup: https://pod.link/1549975153 Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Hormuz Crisis Threatens Global Tea Trade | Kenya Faces a Sudden Market Shock as Gulf Shipping Routes Collapse | Billions in Duties May be Returned to Importers, Including Tea Buyers | China’s Tea Exports Surge in 2025 | Green Tea Dominance Continues as Shipments Reach 419,000 Metric Tons || Podlink signup: https://pod.link/1549975153 Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy