Market News

Green, Specialty Tea Sales Enjoy Healthy Spike

Sales of green and specialty tea have surpassed the standard black variety, according to ACNielsen. Green tea sales grew by 37% this year, following a 31% increase the year before. Specialty tea sales now account for more than half of all tea sales. This is especially the case in western Canada, where green and flavoured teas have been outselling regular black for a few years. (In the Atlantic provinces, specialty teas had only 20% market share). The shift to green and specialty teas seems to be powered by an increased interest in health and wellness. Recent research suggests that tea is rich in natural antioxidants—flavonoids—that enjoy a reputation for reducing the risk of heart disease, strokes and certain types of cancer. Green tea is said also to be a protective agent against a range of other health conditions, such as blood clots and the common cold. Tetley Canada is the country's biggest tea seller. It has a 43% share of regular tea, and a 23% share of specialty tea. Among the latter category, the company sells 27 types, including seven kinds of green. Source: Canadian Grocer E-Newsletter, Jan.6,2006.