Middle East and Africa accounts for nearly 14 per cent of global tea consumption

• Region is second largest tea consumer globally
• 3^rd Global Dubai Tea Forum concluding day sees trends in innovation, market developments and flavoured tea consumption

The Middle East and Africa region accounts for 13.8 per cent of global tea consumption, and is the second largest consumer of tea globally, according to tea experts at the 3^rd Global Dubai Tea Forum 2010.

The two-day biennial forum concluded today with discussions of trends in innovation and current market developments; tea consumption habits in Canada, the United States, Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States; as well as the growing popularity of flavoured tea globally. During the event, tea experts also examined effective ways of marketing tea and creating stronger brands, followed by a unique tea tasting session that allowed participants to try a range of teas from different tea producing countries.

“The 3^rd Global Dubai Tea Forum has received an overwhelming response from the tea industry worldwide,” said Ahmed bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman, Dubai Multi Commodities Centre Authority. “The first day of this important event was marked by a keynote address by His Excellency Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansoori, UAE Minister of Economy, and included a range of insightful presentations on industry trends in the world’s three largest producing nations. We are very grateful to all the participants for their significant contribution to the success of this event.”

“Despite challenging conditions facing the tea industry, due to extreme weather conditions in many producing nations in 2009, we firmly believe that the industry’s renewed emphasis on innovation will provide significant benefits for the trade, across the full spectrum of global markets,” said Sanjay Sethi, Director, Dubai Tea Trading Centre. “Here in Dubai, where we continue to invest in the market-specific infrastructure required to support the further development of the trade, we are convinced that the outlook for the global tea trade has never been brighter.”

The 3^rd Global Dubai Tea Forum took place from March 9-10, 2010, at the Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi. The event saw the attendance of over 360 delegates from more 35 countries worldwide.

The Dubai Tea Trading Centre (DTTC) and Dubai Multi Commodities Centre Authority (DMCCA) play a significant role in supporting the diversification policy of the UAE economy. In 2009, DTTC registered a record 7.5 million kilos of tea traded through the Centre, despite adverse weather conditions reducing global production.

The DTTC presently stocks teas from 13 producing countries, including Kenya, India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Vietnam, Nepal, China and Iran. In keeping with its mandate to further increase the tea trade in and through Dubai, the DTTC also facilitates sales with buyers in the GCC countries, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Libya, Morocco, Pakistan, Afghanistan, UK and the ICS countries, and has plans to expand its services to other Middle East and European markets.