Potential of the Czech tea market to contribute to sustainable tea production in producing developing countries

Bc. Tomáš Heller

Master's thesis

Abstract:

Tea, ancient drink with its 5,000 years old history and rich culture, brings more than an every-day commodity, it provides a livelihood for millions of people involved, especially producers. However, the sustainable future for tea has become uncertain in regards to climate, environmental and socio-economic challenges. The main objective of the research was to analyse the Czech tea market and its potential to contribute to the sustainable and ethical production of tea in countries of production through responsible consumption. The research was conducted by 12 face-to-face in-depth semi-structured interviews with tea connoisseurs (n=3), key informants (n=3) and Czech specialty tea traders (n=6). The results were processed based on methods for qualitative data analysis (thematic analysis). Results show that specialty tea supply chain in the Czech Republic is usually short and transparent based on direct trade partnership between Czech specialty tea traders and farmers/producers and tea traders in producing countries. The market with commodity certified tea was found to be represented by two Czech packers (Fairtrade/Organic) and four Czech Organic certified tea packers, rest of the market is represented by international and private brands. Within the specialty teas, which is de facto ethical by its nature, our study identified three concepts of sustainable tea. Considering their share, the volume and increasing position of commodity certified teas, we concluded that Czech specialty tea market has a moderate sustainability pattern with the growing trend for higher-quality tea. Regarding the need for ethical certifications in specialty tea market, our study concluded that currently practiced closer partnership with farmers, mutual trust between consumers and traders, use of social networks and story of tea decrease the need for further institutionalisation, control and formal certifications and audits of the tea supply chain.

Keywords

tea production, specialty tea, organic tea, ethical trade, fair trade, sustainability, certification, supply chain

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 27. 4. 2017

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: Ing. Jiří Hejkrlík, Ph.D.

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences

Master programme / field:
Tropical Agriculture / Sustainable Rural Development in the Tropics and Subtropics