The Global Matcha Shortage — What Happened?

Matcha is a seasonal and delicate product.

It is made from tencha, which is grown only in four regions of Japan: Kyoto, Kagoshima, Aichi, and Izumo. Harvesting takes place just once or twice per year.

The first harvest — from which our matcha is produced — is the highest quality. When this harvest is smaller than expected, the shortage is felt throughout the entire year until the next season. Due to unpredictable weather conditions in Japan, this year’s yield was significantly lower than usual. The impact has been felt globally.

The harvesting and production of authentic matcha require experience, precision, and time.

Tea leaves are picked only during the first few days of the spring harvest. They are then steamed, cleaned, and slowly ground using traditional stone mills that process just 30–40 grams per hour. This slow method preserves the aroma, vibrant colour, and nutritional properties of the tea.

Producers committed to true Japanese matcha cannot simply scale up production without compromising quality.

Global demand for matcha continues to grow.

Japan has a strong domestic tea market. When harvest volumes are limited — as they are this year — exports may be reduced to meet domestic demand, which is also increasing due to Japan’s rising popularity as a travel destination.

The worldwide matcha trend = a surge in new brands entering the market and seeking distribution contracts.

In times of shortage, large global companies secure exclusive supply agreements and purchase matcha years in advance. This makes it extremely difficult for smaller businesses to access even limited quantities of certain cultivars.

All of these factors directly affect pricing. Currently, prices are being adjusted monthly following internal Japanese tea auctions, where the value of tencha and the final matcha product is determined.

What’s Next? 

We remain committed to our principles: bringing you only the highest-quality matcha, without compromise.

Over the past months, we have been in continuous discussions with farms and partners in Japan, carefully monitoring the market and expanding our selection with exclusive cultivars. However, limited availability and purchasing quotas currently mean one thing — dynamic sourcing and rising prices.

Soon, we will introduce new matcha varieties arriving in October-November. Until then, we invite you to continue exploring Japanese tea traditions and culture with us.

-「Matchati」。