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7th China International Tea Expo

21 May 2025, Video Message by Dr QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General for the 7th China International Tea Expo

Language English

Duration 6m58s

Edit Version Full Mix

Video Type Video Message

Date 05/21/2025

File size 754.88 MB

Unique ID UF1A03C

Production details and shotlist

Script Excellences,
Ladies and gentlemen,

1. I am so pleased to address you today at the opening of the 7th China International Tea Expo and celebrating International Tea Day since 2020.
2. First, I wish all of you Happy International Tea Day!
3. Tea, with its 5,000-year history, originated in China as a medicinal drink before spreading globally via trade routes like the Silk Road. Colonialism established plantations in India, Sri Lanka, and Africa,
4. While traditions such as Chinese tea ceremonies, Japanese chanoyu, and British afternoon tea became cultural cornerstones.
5. Today, tea is the world’s second most consumed beverage, driven by major producers like China, India, and Kenya.
6. The modern industry balances health trends (herbal teas, matcha) with challenges like climate change and fair labour practices,
7. While specialty markets flourish with artisanal blends and cold brews.
8. The tea industry is a vital economic force, spanning cultivation, processing, and retail.
9. Innovations in organic farming and premiumization coexist with struggles against price volatility and environmental threats.
10. Meanwhile, tea culture remains a unifying global phenomenon - from India’s bustling “chai” stalls to Turkey’s communal “çay” and Japan’s Zen-inspired ceremonies.
11. Contemporary adaptations, like matcha lattes and tea tourism, blend tradition with modern tastes.
12. Tea sustains the livelihoods of millions of smallholder farmers – many of whom are women and young people, in some of the world’s most vulnerable regions.
13. Smallholder tea growers, often working in remote and economically disadvantaged areas, produce over 60% of global tea output.
14. Globally, tea production is valued at around USD 17 billion annually, with international tea trade generating USD 9.2 billion every year.
15. The economic reach of the tea sector spans multiple sectors, and for many low-income countries, income from the tea sector is vital to ensuring food security, supporting rural economies, and strengthening resilience to shocks.
16. Over the past decade, global tea consumption has grown steadily, by nearly 3% annually, driven by population growth and rising incomes in emerging economies.
17. Recognizing tea’s vital role, the United Nations General Assembly on 27 November 2019, supported by FAO and its Members, proclaimed 21st May every year as International Tea Day.
18. On International Tea Day, we celebrate tea’s role in connecting cultures, sustaining livelihoods, and enriching daily rituals.
19. It honours farmers, sustainability efforts, and diverse traditions, reminding us that every cup carries a legacy of shared humanity.
20. As the industry evolves, tea’s timeless appeal lies in its ability to adapt while preserving its soul - a simple yet profound beverage that continues to unite the world.
21. Changing climatic conditions in major tea producing regions are increasingly impacting tea yields, quality, and revenues, particularly for smallholder farmers.
22. To secure a better future for the tea sector, we must invest in sustainable solutions at every stage of the value chain – from cultivation to the cup – to ensure that these challenges are turned into opportunities.
23. Achieving success requires investment, innovation, digitalization, effective governance, and strong data systems.
24. At FAO, we are committed to transforming agrifood systems, guided by our Strategic Framework 2022–31, under the overarch of the Four Betters: better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life – leaving no one behind.
25. I am pleased with this year’s Expo theme “Tea and the World, Shared Development” as it highlights the Expo’s role as an important platform for exchange and cooperation between China and the global community, while highlighting the value of tea as a shared global heritage.
26. Looking ahead, technology (AI, drought-resistant crops) may revolutionize farming, but rising temperatures threaten traditional regions. The market must also compete with coffee and functional beverages, even as demand grows for luxury and experiential tea offerings.
27. Through these changes, tea’s essence - community, heritage, and tranquility - endures.
28. FAO is ready to continue working with all partners to strengthen the role of tea as a catalyst for inclusion and shared prosperity, across cultures and generations.
29. Enjoy a cup of tea and enjoy a whole life!
30. Thank you.

QU Dongyu, FAO Director General - Video

Video messages - Qu Dongyu, FAO Director General

2025 DG Video messages - ALL

05 - May

7th China International Tea Expo

(Standard Video)

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