South Africa (Commonwealth) _ China has reduced import duties on South Africa’s rooibos tea by up to 80%. The country’s Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition claimed in a statement on Tuesday that duties on South Africa’s distinctive herbal tea had been reduced to 6% from a range of 15% to 30%.
South Africa’s Rooibos Tea, cultivated and grown in Cape town, which stretches between 200 kilometers (125 miles) and 300 kilometers in to the north of the area and is claimed to provide health and cosmetic advantages. The South African Rooibos Council reports that the sector employs 5,000 people and generates around 20,000 tons per year.
South Africa exports rooibos to 45 nations, with China being the seventh-largest recipient market, according to the department. In 2014, the EU awarded geographical indicator status to rooibos tea, giving makers in South Africa’s Cederberg area complete ownership of the brand.
Most South Africans grew up drinking Rooibos tea. Its distinct flavor and health advantages have made it one of the country’s most popular beverages. In recent years, with growing worldwide commerce and tourism, rooibos has spread to China, where it is gaining popularity.
Technically, Rooibos tea is made from the leaves of the Aspalathus Linears plant. The species is a form of fynbos found in a 300-kilometer radius around Cape Town, mostly in the Cederberg region. As a result, the seeds from the plants are exceedingly uncommon. Each seed pod contains only one seed, which drops to the ground spontaneously when mature. The local ant species will gather these seeds and store them as food. The conventional approach for rooibos growers is to gather seeds from the ant colony or sift through the sand surrounding adult plants.
Rooibos includes superoxide dismutase characteristics, which means it is an antioxidant that experts believe can help delay the aging process. It can also help diabetics maintain their blood sugar levels and live healthier lives. Furthermore, unlike typical teas, rooibos has no caffeine and is believed to soothe the central nervous system. Furthermore, rooibos contains the smallest level of tanning, which is thought to be healthy for the digestive system.
In China, tea is gaining popularity due to its health advantages. While traditional Chinese teas are primarily green teas with a few black tea selections, an increasing number of individuals are reportedly moving to rooibos. Rooibos is one of South Africa’s three riches, along with gold and diamonds. Industrialized in the 1950s, rooibos tea growing has become a significant source of wealth in South Africa throughout the years.
Growers in Kenya and South Africa are considering China as a market and collaborating with Chinese firms to enhance processing. China, the origin of tea, has a long history of tea culture, which has tremendously affected the globe.
Tea from South Africa is likewise attempting to acquire recognition in China. Rooibos, also known as red bush tea, is a herbal tea brewed from a legume plant and is considered one of South Africa’s most valuable and renowned agricultural products. It contains no caffeine and is beneficial to sleep quality and skin texture, making it a promising product for Chinese customers.
According to the online store Duoduo South African Products’ shop on Taobao.com, China’s largest online sales site, over 500 customers purchased this tea last year, and the feedback was generally positive.
Rooibos tea has a wide range of antioxidants. These incredible compounds shield our systems from the cell-damaging impacts of free radicals, protecting us from a slew of significant degenerative illnesses including macular degeneration, Parkinson’s disease, and many forms of cancer.”
The Duoduo store admits the product is still relatively obscure among Chinese consumers. Most buyers have visited South Africa or have been recommended by others. According to tea firms, the branding campaign and quality categorization require further improvement.
