Japan's government is encouraging tea producers to farm on a larger scale to reduce costs. But that risks sacrificing quality, and "in small rural areas, it's almost impossible," grower Okutomi said.

TOKYO/NIIGATA, Japan -- Japanese food manufacturers are exploring U.S. production to mitigate pricing and supply chain risks ...

Japan's green tea exports, including matcha, rose 25% by value to 36.4 billion yen ($252 million) in 2024, driven largely by ...

In 2024, matcha accounted for over half of the 8,798 tonnes of green tea exported from Japan, according to agriculture ministry data — twice as much as a decade ago. Advertisement 5.

Japan's government is encouraging tea producers to farm on a larger scale to reduce costs. But that risks sacrificing quality, and "in small rural areas, it's almost impossible," grower Okutomi said.

At a minimalist Los Angeles matcha bar, powdered Japanese tea is prepared with precision, despite a global shortage driven by the bright green drink's social media stardom.

Amid the rising demand, the number of tea plantations in Japan has fallen to a quarter of what it was 20 years ago. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

LOS ANGELES: At a minimalist Los Angeles matcha bar, powdered Japanese tea is prepared with precision, despite a global shortage driven by the bright green drink's social media stardom.