Yunnan Tea Trends 2025: Insights from the Fields | HOJO Online Speciality Tea Shop

Since March 25, we have been in Yunnan Province. We will stay here until May to conduct tea production, packing and shipping, and quality management locally. In this column, we would like to share our impressions regarding the Yunnan tea growth conditions, market trends, and other insights for 2025.

Climate and Tea Growth Conditions

After the Chinese New Year, the weather remained dry, but starting from the 20th, it rained for four consecutive days, which initiated the tea sprouting process.

The temperature was around average for the season, with slightly chilly days in March, but as April began, it became warm enough to wear short sleeves. Compared to last year, which was exceptionally warm, this year’s temperature is lower. Additionally, the low precipitation after the Chinese New Year has resulted in a delay of about one week in the growth of tea. The full-scale tea plucking is expected to start next week, right after the Qing Ming festival.

Tea Quality

Since it rained once in March, there has been no rainfall at all. As a result, the growth of the tea is extremely slow, and the leaves feel smaller compared to usual. Consequently, the quality of this year’s tea is exceptionally high, presenting an ideal flavor and aroma.

Impact of Asian Dust

Despite the continuous sunny days without any rain, we have one concern. One noticeable issue in Yunnan Province this year is the yellowish, cloudy atmosphere even on sunny days, creating a dim, overcast-like environment. Local residents speculate that dust particles are stirred up due to the lack of rain. However, even in previous dry years, the air remained clear, and since the haze varies by day, this explanation seems unconvincing.

In late March, the surroundings became visibly hazy with yellow dust accumulating on car bonnets, similar to the Asian Dust experienced every spring in Japan. Additionally, many locals, including taxi drivers and producers, reported symptoms like red eyes and cold-like discomfort. These symptoms strongly resembled Asian Dust allergies rather than a common cold.

In the latter half of March, the impact of Asian Dust became prominent, with yellow dust warnings being issued in Japan and Beijing. Generally, Asian Dust often originates from the deserts near Xinjiang, carried eastward by westerly winds, but depending on wind direction, it can reach Yunnan Province and even further south to Thailand.

According to data from Chinese Asian Dust observation sites, significant Asian Dust was observed in Yunnan Province in late March, indicating that the unusual atmospheric haze and health issues in Yunnan this year are likely due to Asian Dust.

The sky appears white and yellow, likely due to Asian Dust.

Impact on White Tea and Raw Pu-erh Tea Production

We are fully engaged in the production of white tea from March to mid-April when the temperature is relatively low, the weather is stable, and the humidity is low. As long as the humidity remains low, the quality of white tea is not affected, so the reduction in sunlight due to Asian Dust is not a significant issue.

However, from mid-April onwards, the full-scale production of raw Pu-erh tea will begin, and sunlight becomes a crucial factor. According to producers, there have been years when the weather was clear but the atmosphere was hazy, blocking sunlight, and in those years, tea production was affected. We are genuinely concerned about how the influence of Asian Dust and weather conditions will develop in the coming weeks.

About Pricing

Due to the economic slowdown in China, tea prices are generally on a downward trend. Particularly in well-known production areas or lower-altitude regions with lower popularity, the prices of fresh tea leaves have decreased by 20 to 30 percent.

On the other hand, in high-altitude mountainous areas with older trees where we source high-quality tea, demand from those seeking premium tea remains strong, and the price drop is relatively moderate.

Impact of the Myanmar Earthquake

The recent major earthquake in Myanmar caused significant damage in Bangkok, about 1,000 kilometers south, including the collapse of a high-rise building under construction. Meanwhile, in Yunnan Province’s Lincang City, Yongde County, and Zhenkang County, located just a few dozen kilometers from the Myanmar border, the shaking felt was not too intense for Japanese like me who are so used to earthquakes throughout the year in Japan.

The earthquake was primarily caused by the Sagaing Fault, running north-south through central Myanmar, and the strong shaking was observed near the epicenter. In contrast, Yunnan Province, located on the eastern side of the fault, has different geological characteristics, which may explain the relatively smaller impact despite being in the same tectonic boundary area. The solid ground likely absorbed much of the shaking.

We have observed various buildings in Yunnan Province, and we are convinced that even a slightly stronger tremor would have caused significant collapse. When we felt the shaking, we were genuinely alarmed, but fortunately, the impact was minor, and we were greatly relieved.