Matcha craze sparks global supply chain issues amid huge demand and record-breaking heatwave
Why your matcha latte is about to get a lot more expensive
- Matcha prices are soaring due to record temperatures in Japan and a significant increase in global demand.
- Japan's Kyoto region, a key producer of tencha (the base for matcha), experienced severe heatwaves last summer, resulting in weak yields during the recent April-May harvest.
- The popularity of matcha has surged, with sales in the UK rising by 202 per cent in 2023, driven by social media trends and Japan's post-pandemic tourism boom.
- Farmers are reporting reduced harvests, and importers are struggling to meet demand, with some cafes experiencing rapid stock depletion.
- New US tariffs of 15 per cent on Japanese imports are anticipated to further increase matcha prices, despite concerns from distributors who argue the product should be exempt.