Global Matcha Production and Export Status: 2025AUG26

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Below is a brief survey of recent articles and anecdotal reports on the status of matcha production, particularly related to Japan.

 

EXPORTS

 

Japan exported 5,092 tons of matcha in 2024, an 18.7% increase over the previous year. In dollar terms, export value was about $185 million US dollars, a 25.9% year-on-year increase.  Average 2024 pricing was $36.31 US dollars/kg.

Japan’s top five matcha export partners accounted for a combined 65.7% of total matcha exports:

  • the United States = 2,217 tons, avg $39.37/kg
  • Germany = 435 tons; avg $39.71/kg
  • Malaysia = 322 tons; avg $20.23/kg
  • Thailand = 228 tons; avg $24.63/kg
  • Taiwan = 177 tons; avg $30.78/kg

PRODUCTION

 

Unusually warm and dry weather in some areas of Japan have led to an estimated 25% decrease in total Spring tencha production. Milling has become the more noticeable bottleneck. Anecdotal reports in both Japan and China indicate that even with all granite mills operating at full capacity, each mill can only produce about 30-40 g of matcha per hour. Mills are straining to keep up with demand.

China sencha producers were known to shade their bushes during the Spring to convert their sencha to a tencha harvest in order to capitalize on rising matcha demand.

 

UPDATED 2025 NOVEMBER 3

In other updates, estimates shared via CCTV.com and further repeated across tea-industry related WeChat posts put China’s 2025 matcha production at a total 5,000 MT, up from 3,900 MT in 2020. Major producing provinces include Zhejiang, Guizhou, and Hubei. These publications put China’s matcha production at around 60% of 2025 global totals.

ORIGINAL ARTICLES (CHINESE)

https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/wHKmH8N6FxaK6UWiN_AtBQ

https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/JXWCsPe4OdEvIScQR0EOVg

https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/3gFPS6yAtrdxfqjAHly49Q

 

OUTLOOK

 

While China does not keep dedicated national statistics on matcha production and export, it stands to reason that additional Chinese matcha production could help ease matcha supply and pricing. Matcha demand has risen across the globe, with the rapid and widespread expansion of boba tea chains in Eastern Asia serving as a strong driver of consumption. The region is known for having an established population more widely accepting of both green tea and boba culture.

 

OTHER SOURCES

https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/H_aXRbgcSf3_XONll0nOFw