China – which commands respect both for the sheer numbers of its population and an impressive attitude towards expanding industry – is keen to make contacts with companies in Europe who may market their tea or make use of it in the growth sector of ready-to-drink, tea-based beverages.
The event was organised in part by Raymond Yip, assistant executive director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. More than 250 companies from 15 countries exhibited, with group pavilions for Hong Kong, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan and Vietnam, with the biggest for mainland China as the largest global producer of 1.4 million tonnes each year. Kampery Development had the largest stand at 72 square metres.
“Research has shown the people in Hong Kong consume the highest amount of tea in Asia, and there’s a long history of tea drinking in the city,” said Raymond Yip. “Also, Hong Kong does not actually produce tea, so the Fair can be objective in promoting teas from many countries.”
Hong Kong has long been one of the world’s trading hubs, and there’s zero tax on imports and exports, favouring trade.
Exhibits at the fair included tea and tea products, tea packaging and processing equipment and testing services, tea bar organisation and technology, teaware, tea art and tea media. A tea gallery beautifully displayed the history of tea, with tea culture exhibits from Argentina, India, Japan, Sri Lanka and Britain.
Ying Tee Company’s Wilson Chan said: “This is a great opportunity to enhance our overseas business network and interchange our ideas with visitors.”
Mr Mu Yuwei of China’s Guangdong Tea – a province with a population of 400 million – said: “Our Golden Sail milk tea product is extremely popular in China, and we are looking to establish this as a global brand.”
Coming from a tea industry family based in Hong Kong, UK educated Nicholas Tung is about to launch his Essense brand aimed at the younger age group of tea drinkers from 15-30. The brand is a light, golden blend designed to be drunk without milk and having stylish, black-based graphics that are clean and contemporary.
Read our ‘special tea’ report in Feb 2010 and see new ready-to-drink tea products in every issue. In the hot or iced tea trade? Looking for profitabilitea, versatilitea and modernitea? Then visit Hong Kong’s Tea Conference next year.
See more pictures from the Tea Conference.
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