Kagoshima City held Japan’s first market auction for 2025 shincha (new tea) on April 9, offering 79 lots totaling 3,924 kg from Tanegashima, Yakushima, and mainland Kyushu. The average price rose to ¥4,137 per kilogram, up from ¥3,869 last year.
In 2024, Kagoshima overtook Shizuoka in production of “aracha” (crude tea), becoming Japan’s top producer with about 27,000 tons. As demand grows, shipments to retail outlets are expected as early as next week. With U.S. exports valued at ¥3.2 billion last fiscal year, the industry remains wary of renewed tariffs and is appealing for government support in trade negotiations. Source: NHK
Photo from Kagoshima Prefecture Tea Industry Chamber official Instagram
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