Latest news with #MinistryofAgriculture
Indian Express
10 hours ago
- Lifestyle
- Indian Express
Matcha-ing the demand: Why supplies of the popular Japanese green tea can't keep up
Matcha was once unknown outside Japan, where the powdered green tea was traditionally prepared by whisking it with hot water, as part of meticulously done tea ceremonies. However, over the last few years, and especially in recent months on social media, it has snowballed into a full-blown lifestyle trend at a global scale. As matcha makes its way into cafes and restaurants, brewed into lattes and baked into cakes and cookies, the demand for the core ingredient has surged. What has driven the hype to the point that the Japanese tea industry and farmers are now struggling to keep up? And why can't more matcha be produced quickly? We explain. Matcha's popularity has been driven by multiple phenomena, including wellness influencers who swear by its health benefits, and the rising interest in Japanese culture thanks to anime shows and manga comics. It's also been compared to other recent trendy items, such as Labubu dolls and Dubai chocolate, which suddenly blew up for no particular reason, involved somewhat costly products, and are seen as part of a social media-driven wave. However, matcha also has detractors who are put off by its earthy taste, often criticised as 'grassy'. Still, data from Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) shows that exports of Japanese green tea (including matcha) grew by 40 per cent in terms of quantity between 2020 and 2024. It also led to a 55 per cent rise in value, from 16.2 billion yen ($109 million) in 2020 to 36.4 billion yen ($245 million) in 2024. Specifically, matcha production also grew threefold between 2010 and 2023 amid increasing demand. Around half of the matcha produced in Japan is exported, according to The Japan Times. Matcha is derived from Camellia Sinensis, a plant native to East Asia, Southeast Asia and parts of the Indian subcontinent, used to produce a variety of caffeine teas. However, matcha is distinct in how it is cultivated, harvested and processed. The tea leaves are grown partly in shade, resulting in increased production of chlorophyll. It lends a green pigment to leaves and is the reason why matcha has a brighter, greener appearance. The leaves are then plucked, steamed and dried, called tencha at this stage. When tencha is ground into powder, it becomes matcha. The grinding process was earlier done by hand at home, but now involves specialised mills. What explains the shortage? Japan has been unable to keep up with the demands of the global matcha market, expected to grow to about $5 billion by 2028. The industry has reported delays in meeting orders, leaving warehouses and vendors with empty shelves. Leading matcha sellers like Ippodo and Marukyu Koyamaen have also flagged shortages. In July, Ippodo stated, 'To get our matchas to as many customers as possible, we've temporarily limited both the varieties and quantities available.' Similarly, Marukyu Koyamaen's website states that due to the 'unexpected high volume of orders', matcha products will be available in limited quantities. Essentially, matcha was never meant for mass production. It is the result of a seasonal, slow-moving and labour-intensive process that cannot keep up with the speed of global consumption. A part of the current crisis is due to the decline in farming households in Japan. A recent MAFF report flagged the decline in cultivation area. Between 2008 and 2023, the cultivation area reduced from 48,000 hectares to 36,000, and the number of farming households decreased from 46,000 to just 20,000. The report attributes this decline to the 'lack of successors to producers', which can be linked to Japan's declining fertility rates in recent decades, and also notes 'labour shortage' during peak seasons. Low domestic demand for green tea has also resulted in farmers diversifying their crops in the past. Add to this the sweltering summers that Japan has been experiencing for the past two years, with last year marking the hottest summer on record. The heat destroyed crops, resulting in lower tencha yields this April-May harvest season. However, an increase in production would not solve the crisis immediately. Ippodo, which has been in the green tea business since 1717, explained that tea plants take over five years to mature before they can be harvested. Moreover, tencha leaves are also hand-picked, after which they require a resting period for quality preservation — a process that's both time-consuming and labour-intensive. Even the grinding of tencha into matcha is a gradual process. According to The Japan Times, a machine can only grind about 40 grams of matcha per hour. What happens now? The Japanese government has stepped in to help its local tea growers meet the demand and encouraged other farmers to switch over to tea production. The government also intends to lease agricultural machinery to save labour and reduce costs, as per the MAFF report. Suppliers, meanwhile, are looking to procure matcha from other countries like China and South Korea, which also grow the plant, but do not meet Japan's quality standards. Sonal Gupta is a senior sub-editor on the news desk. She writes feature stories and explainers on a wide range of topics from art and culture to international affairs. She also curates the Morning Expresso, a daily briefing of top stories of the day, which won gold in the 'best newsletter' category at the WAN-IFRA South Asian Digital Media Awards 2023. She also edits our newly-launched pop culture section, Fresh Take. ... Read More
Daily News Egypt
a day ago
- Business
- Daily News Egypt
Government discusses amendments to Agricultural Cooperatives Law
Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation Alaa Farouk has met with Minister of Parliamentary, Legal, and Political Communication Affairs Mahmoud Fawzi to discuss proposed amendments to the Agricultural Cooperatives Law. The meeting was part of the government's ongoing efforts to support and develop the agricultural sector, enhance food security, and empower cooperatives as a cornerstone of sustainable development. The two ministers reviewed key provisions in the draft law, which aims to update the legislative framework governing cooperatives to better address current challenges. The proposed legislation is expected to boost farmers' productivity and strengthen the role of agricultural associations in delivering tangible services on the ground. The discussions also focused on ways to enhance the role of cooperatives within the national economy and address longstanding obstacles in the sector. Farouk emphasized the crucial role that cooperatives play in supporting smallholder farmers and in integrating production and marketing chains. He highlighted the urgency of finalizing the law to align with farmers' aspirations and the importance of revitalizing agricultural associations as a key resource for farmers, providing inputs, advisory services, and financing for small- and medium-sized projects. For his part, Fawzi underscored his ministry's commitment to collaborating closely with the Ministry of Agriculture to develop a consensus-based law that addresses the needs of all stakeholders and revitalizes Egypt's agricultural sector. He described the bill as essential for regulating and modernizing the sector in line with the country's national development goals. Further joint meetings between the two ministries are scheduled to finalize the proposed amendments, with the draft set to be reviewed by the Cabinet before being submitted to Parliament.
a day ago
- Business
Japan's Beef Exports Reach Record High for Second Straight Year
Japan Data Japan enjoyed record beef exports for the second consecutive year in 2024. United States Is Top Destination The value of Japan's beef exports rose by 12% year on year to ¥64.8 billion in 2024. This was 2.2 times greater than the total in 2019, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries. In the period from January to May of 2025, exports remained robust, at ¥26.6 billion, which is a 15% increase over the same period the previous year. In 2024, the volume of Japan's beef exports was 10,826 tons, a year-on-year increase of 22%. Meanwhile, in 2025, exports totaled 4,469 tons for the period from January to the end of May, which is a 24% increase over the same period the previous year. As the tables show, the United States, Taiwan, and Hong Kong accounted for a large portion of beef exports, in terms of both value and volume, reflecting the strong interest among their consumers for wagyū. The Japanese government has set a target of beef exports totaling ¥113.2 billion in 2030. Data Sources (Translated from Japanese. Banner photo © Pixta.)
Qatar Tribune
2 days ago
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
Gunfight in Baghdad kills one as paramilitary group storms ministry
At least one police officer was killed and 14 fighters detained after a gun battle erupted in Iraq's capital with members of the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF). The violence on Sunday broke out in Baghdad's Karkh district when PMF fighters stormed a Ministry of Agriculture building during the appointment of a new director, the Interior Ministry said. The gunmen disrupted an official meeting, stirring panic among staff and an emergency police response team. Police responding to the scene 'came under fire', also resulting in injuries among security personnel. The ministry said 'it would not tolerate any party attempting to impose its will by force and threaten state institutions'. The PMF, known locally as Hashd al-Shaabi, is composed mainly of Shia paramilitaries formed to fight ISIL (ISIS), but has since been formally integrated into Iraq's armed forces. Several of its factions maintain close ties to Tehran. Security sources and witnesses inside the building said the fighters aimed to block the replacement of the former director. Hospital and police officials confirmed one officer was killed and nine others were wounded in the clash. (Agencies)
Shafaq News
2 days ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
What We Know So Far: Armed PMF Faction storms ministry office
Shafaq News – Baghdad Armed clashes erupted Sunday morning between members of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) and Iraqi security forces at a Ministry of Agriculture office in the Dora district, south of Baghdad. The incident left two people dead—including a civilian passerby—and injured at least twelve others. According to Iraq's Joint Operations Command, the gunmen belonged to PMF Brigades 45 and 46, affiliated with the Kataib Hezbollah faction. The command said the group stormed a government building and exchanged fire with state security personnel tasked with protecting public institutions. Security forces arrested 14 suspects during the operation. Upon verifying their identities, authorities confirmed all belonged to the aforementioned PMF brigades. Legal proceedings have been initiated, and the detainees have been referred to the judiciary. The Iraqi Interior Ministry provided further details, revealing that the armed group broke into the Ministry of Agriculture's office in western Baghdad during an internal meeting, prompting panic among employees who called for immediate help. Several officers and personnel sustained injuries in the confrontation. Security sources told Shafaq News that the incident originated from a dispute between two individuals affiliated with the PMF over an administrative appointment. When the newly appointed director attempted to assume his duties, the current officeholder refused to hand over the position. The incoming official reportedly returned with an armed group, leading to an exchange of gunfire. Military and security officials from Baghdad Operations Command, the Federal Police, and the PMF's own internal security directorate later intervened to de-escalate the situation. Authorities confirmed the site is now secure and no further violence has been reported. Prime Minister Orders Accountability In response, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, held an emergency meeting with senior military officials. He ordered that all individuals involved in the attack be held accountable in accordance with Iraqi law. Al-Sudani emphasized the state's responsibility to protect its institutions and called for a thorough and professional investigation, warning that 'no one is above the law' and that unauthorized armed actions will not be tolerated. PMF Leadership Disavows Incident The PMF Commission issued a statement Sunday evening pledging full cooperation with authorities. It reaffirmed that the PMF operates under the command of the Iraqi state and that any individual or group acting outside established procedures would face consequences. 'The PMF exists to serve the nation and act in coordination with official security institutions,' the statement read. 'Any individual or group that steps outside this framework is violating the law and the principles of the PMF.'
