More than 300 delegates from over 30 tea producing and consuming countries are set to discuss the latest trends, innovations, opportunities and developments in the tea sector at a forum in Dubai.

 

The fifth Global Dubai Tea Forum 2014, which is to be hosted by the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), will run from April 8 to 10 at the Sofitel Dubai, Palm Jumeirah.

 

The forum aims to provide a holistic view of the tea market with participants from around the world and across the entire supply chain looking at the future of tea, anticipated consumer habits and in-depth regional analyses.

 

Ahmed Bin Sulayem, executive chairman of DMCC, said: “Dubai has quickly emerged as one of the leading global hubs for the tea trade where 2013 saw our DMCC Tea Centre alone double the volumes of tea handled in comparison to 2012. 

 

“In 2013, the total trade volume of tea through Dubai increased by 29 per cent to 129 thousand tonnes, and the value increased by 34 per cent to $463 million in comparison with 2012. 

 

“It is a prosperous time for tea with exciting opportunities for those who seek them and the Global Dubai Tea Forum provides a unique platform for those keen to access news markets by strengthening international relations and industry trading ties. We look forward to welcoming industry participants from all across the globe to Dubai and the Global Dubai Tea Forum 2014.”

 

The UAE is the largest re-exporter of tea globally with over 60 per cent of the world’s market share, said a statement.

 

Sanjeev Dutta, director, DMCC Tea Centre, said: “The DMCC Tea Centre aims to enhance the value of goods as it moves though the supply chain from the growers’ plants to the consumers’ cups, and to support our members throughout the process. 

 

“This year we are focused on diversifying our product lines to include specialty teas of varied flavours available and further improving our facilities and services available to our customers, ensuring more flexibility and reinforcing our position as a true partner.

 

“In 2013, we handled around 13 million kilos, a volume that made it a record year for the centre, and that figure is only expected to grow further this year.  A big focus for the DMCC Tea Centre this year is to work with industry leaders to centralise their procurement and distribution operations out of Dubai.  If we achieve this, we would expect a five or even seven-fold growth in the bulk volume handled through the tea centre by the end of 2014.” - TradeArabia News Service