The Problem with the Matcha Supply Chain
The international matcha market is flooded with intermediaries. A batch of matcha might pass from the farm to a regional cooperative, to a domestic wholesaler, to an international exporter, and finally to a local distributor before it reaches your cafe. Every step adds a markup, squeezing your margins and obscuring the tea’s origin.The Power of Direct Farm Partnerships
To secure the best quality and pricing, wholesale buyers must cut out the middleman. By establishing direct partnerships with tea farms in Uji or Kagoshima, you gain:- Pricing Control: Bypassing domestic wholesalers can reduce costs by up to 40%.
- Custom Blends: Direct access allows you to work with tea masters to create a signature blend specific to your brand’s flavor profile.
- Traceability: You can guarantee to your customers exactly where their matcha comes from, down to the specific field and harvest date.