Today is International Tea Day: Italy in the top ten of cold tea consumption

With a global turnover of 45.5 billion dollars, tea is the most popular drink in the world and on 21 May the FAO celebrates its international day. The global production of this plant exceeds 6.5 million tonnes per year and is concentrated above all in China - the world's largest producer, with 47% of the total harvest - India and Sri Lanka. If 60% of the world's harvest comes from small plantations, most of the harvesting work is carried out by women. And it is in fact to women's work that FAO dedicates International Tea Day: «We need to support women who play a crucial role in the tea industry - claims the organization - contributing substantially to its sustainability, productivity and community development ». Women, the FAO reminds us, encounter many difficulties along the supply chain, starting with access to credit and appropriate technologies. Who are the tea consumers in the world? According to Euromonitor International, in first place is China, with over 70 billion liters ...