Yunnan Field Report 2026: Climate Conditions and Tea Growth This Year

We have been in Yunnan since March 28, and from the 29th, we have been producing and sourcing tea mainly in Yongde County, Zhenkang County in Lincang, and Baoshan. We plan to stay here until the first or second week of May, as very old trees used for single tree tea and purple tea grow slowly, and their harvest season is from late April to early May.

Quality linkage starting from Yunnan

Based on my experience, the growth conditions and quality of tea in Yunnan are directly reflected in other tea-producing regions in China, as well as in Taiwan and Japan. For example, in years when Yunnan tea has a very green note and weak floral character, the same trend appears in Phoenix Dancong, Taiwanese tea, and Japanese tea. This pattern is not limited to tea, but can also be seen in other agricultural products such as cucumbers and fruit. In other words, the growth conditions and quality of tea in Yunnan can be regarded as a leading indicator for other regions.

Spring 2026 climate and delayed harvest

Since the Chinese New Year, dry and cool weather has continued this year, slowing the growth of tea. As a result, tea plucking, which usually starts around March 20, was delayed by about 10 days. However, on March 28 and 29, when we arrived, there was unusually heavy rain. This seemed to wake up the dormant tea, and buds began to emerge all at once except for those very old tea trees. Because of this, we expected a large volume of tea to be harvested around April 10. However, temperatures did not rise afterward, and there was no significant rainfall, so harvesting has been scattered, and the overall season is delayed. This delay is not limited to tea. Cherries, which signal the arrival of spring in Yunnan, as well as the edible Bauhinia flower and many other crops, are also about 10 days behind the usual schedule. A flower that signals the arrival of spring in Yunnan. It usually reaches full bloom around March 25, but this year it is about 10 days late.

Agricultural calendar and crop growth

We tend to look at the season based on the Gregorian calendar, but from our experience, the most accurate indicator of crop growth is the Chinese agricultural calendar. In fact, many people involved in tea production in Yunnan constantly refer to it. The agricultural calendar can differ from the Gregorian calendar by several weeks to nearly two months, depending on the year. In years when a leap month is inserted, that month is added entirely, so the difference becomes especially large. It is based on the lunar cycle, starting from the new moon, with each month lasting about 29.5 days. Unlike the Gregorian calendar, which is based only on the sun, the agricultural calendar incorporates both the moon and the sun. The reason why this calendar reflects crop growth so accurately has not yet been scientifically clarified, but several hypotheses exist. One is that the moon’s gravity affects water on Earth. The same force that creates ocean tides may also affect moisture in the soil and the movement of water within plants, so the position of the agricultural calendar may be linked to soil conditions and plant activity in that year. Another is that in years when the agricultural calendar is delayed, the rise in spring temperature may also be delayed due to the relative positions of the moon and the sun. This matches the tendency for cooler conditions to continue longer and may more directly explain delays in crop growth. In 2026, the agricultural calendar is still equivalent to February, which is rare in the past 10 years. In 2021, when the agricultural calendar was also equivalent to February, crop growth was delayed overall. When the agricultural calendar is delayed, crop growth tends to be delayed, and this matches the delayed harvest of tea, cherries, and other crops this year.

Raw material conditions and production risks in 2026

This year, the flavor of tea is relatively good and floral, so the raw material looks promising. However, from a production perspective, we cannot be optimistic.In 2021, even in early April, the agricultural calendar was still at a stage equivalent to February, which caused large variation in white tea withering. At that time, due to the pandemic, we could not travel to the origin and had to leave everything to the producers. This year is also a very difficult year for white tea production. However, since we are on site, we are working to improve processing conditions by introducing alternative drying methods and other adjustments. It is a year that requires constant attention.