Fuding white tea's production cycle has been extended from spring into summer and autumn, leading to price increases across different levels.
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2012-12-05
In the past, white tea was produced only during one season, but now producers are also busy pressing white tea cakes during the summer and autumn months. Reportedly, thanks to the growing popularity of aged white tea and the increasing awareness of its health benefits, Fuding white tea has been selling exceptionally well this year—so much so that the production period has expanded from spring into both summer and autumn. Meanwhile, white tea prices have risen to varying degrees across the board.
Fuding White Tea Cake, Heavily Produced in Summer and Autumn
“Although the company produced a few white tea cakes during the summer and autumn seasons in previous years, this year we’ve seen a significant increase in production of white tea cakes during those same periods. In fact, this year’s Fuding white tea cakes have become one of the standout products in the Fuding tea market.”
It is understood that Fuding white tea cakes are processed with minimal steps, preserving the tea's natural flavor as well as its rich content of active enzymes and polyphenol nutrients to the greatest extent. Moreover, when brewed with water, the tea leaves release their compounds more easily, resulting in a richer taste and an even more robust aroma. Additionally, Fuding white tea cakes are far easier to store and preserve, making them the primary method for producing aged white tea today.
"Generally, the production of Fuding spring tea lasts until May or June, after which the production of Fuding white tea virtually comes to a halt. However, this year, the production cycle for Fuding white tea has extended into the summer and autumn seasons—mainly because local Fuding companies are using tea leaves harvested during these warmer months to craft white tea cakes." Chen Shixiong from the Fuding City Tea Administration explained that during the spring, Fuding tea firms primarily focus on producing high- to mid-range varieties like Baihao Yinzhen and Baifeng, while in summer and autumn, they shift toward lower-to-mid-range products such as Baifeng and Shoumei."
Of course, in addition to using new tea to make white tea cakes, last year’s aged teas can also be pressed into white tea cakes—and it’s even possible to press Baihao Yinzhen (Silver Needle) directly into cake form. However, this practice isn’t very common.
White tea—both hot, green varieties and the finished product—are seeing rising prices.
"Starting from the second half of last year, Fuding aged white tea has been selling exceptionally well in regions such as Northeast China, Northwest China, and South China. Compared to the same period last year, the company’s white tea sales have at least doubled. Meanwhile, due to this year’s reduced spring tea harvest, rising costs of labor and fresh tea leaves, coupled with strong market demand, the retail price of new white tea has increased by 50% to 60% year-on-year. For aged white tea aged three years or older, prices have more than doubled—or even tripled—compared to the previous year," said Cai Liangsui. Additionally, reporters learned that the booming demand for pressed white tea cakes has driven up the purchase prices of summer and autumn tea leaves in Fuding significantly this year compared to previous years. According to Chen Shixiong, while summer tea leaves typically fetched around 0.5 yuan per 500 grams in past years, this year their price has surged to about 2 yuan. Similarly, autumn tea leaves, which usually cost around 0.7 yuan per 500 grams, have now climbed to 4 to 5 yuan this season.
Of course, in addition to the rising prices of summer and autumn tea leaves, this spring the price of Fuding tea leaves has also climbed from over 30 yuan to as high as 48 yuan.
Notably, despite rising prices for Fuding white tea, its export sales continue to show a growing trend.
According to customs statistics, in the first six months of 2012, China's tea exports fell by 6.08% year-on-year. Meanwhile, Fujian Province exported 11,000 tons of tea during the same period, a decrease of 18.6% compared to the previous year. However, Fuding white tea bucked the trend, with exports surging against the odds. As of the end of August this year, 381 tea companies in Fuding reported that their first-half white tea sales revenue increased by 77% compared to the same period last year, and white tea exports have already reached 2,600 tons—surpassing last year's total annual export volume of approximately 3,000 tons.
Lin Lici, President of the Fuding City Tea Association, stated that Fuding has now become the world's largest export base for white tea.
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