Are you wondering how to start a matcha business? Well, just like in every business venture, finding suppliers is crucial. As this powdered green tea is produced mainly in Japan, it can be trickier to establish contact directly with producers of the ingredient. Instead, a much easier option will be to find a wholesale matcha vendor. By choosing wholesale distribution In this article, we will share more about where and how to find a reliable matcha supplier.
Where Can You Find Matcha Suppliers?
When searching for a matcha tea supplier, the main factors you should consider are the variety of products they offer and their rates. However, that’s not all you should be concerned about. Here are some additional factors to take into consideration when searching for a matcha powder supplier:
- Transportation options. Logistics is an important part of every business. Reliable vendors should offer solutions in that field.
- Packaging sizes. Most matcha wholesale businesses offer a variety of sizes ranging from just a few pounds to palette-sized quantities of hundreds of pounds.
- Reliable supply. The demand for matcha is higher than the supply. That’s why businesses want to know they can count on their partners for regular supplies of different types of matcha.
- A variety of products. Companies strive to spend less time on operational tasks. That’s why a business that requires bulk quantities of tea might also need to partner with coffee bean wholesale suppliers or vendors who can deliver large quantities of matcha and yerba mate.
Tea, Coffee, and Matcha Industry Expos
Trade shows are among the best places to find partners, clients, and suppliers. At these exhibitions, you can exchange ideas with other managers from the industry. Furthermore, at exhibition pavilions, you can compare prices and features of different products and services. There are both national and international trade shows related to tea. Some of the well-known ones are the World Tea Expo and the World Tea & Coffee Expo.
Online B2B Marketplaces
There are many marketplaces that businesses use to find new customers and increase wholesale sales. At these platforms, buyers have the opportunity to compare prices, review the profiles of distributors, and check the quality of the products. An example of such an online marketplace is BlueCart’s app. It’s used by thousands of businesses in the food and beverage industry as well as by wholesale and distribution companies.
Trade Directories and Online Research
Searching online for matcha suppliers can take you some time, but you might find reliable partners. Start by searching for companies in trade directories. There are a lot of general directories, but you can find niche ones too. In addition, search for websites of matcha suppliers. Check their rates, their reviews, what type of products they offer, and what services they provide in terms of logistics.
Industry Associations
You can always join local, national, or international industry associations. If your business is a bakery and you wish to find matcha suppliers, your fellow colleagues from bakery associations can recommend reliable ones. Additionally, you can join or contact tea associations.
Such organizations often set up networking events where professionals can exchange ideas for things like matcha vs coffee, talk about the latest trends in the matcha market, or just exchange business contacts.
Key takeaway: Trading directly with matcha producers can be difficult as most matcha farms are located in Japan. Alternatively, you should find matcha suppliers and importers to schedule regular deliveries and get good prices.
What Is Needed to Become a Matcha Supplier?
If you’re planning to start a business as a matcha supplier, there are a few steps you need to take before you start your operations. Let’s dive a little deeper into the topic.
Certifications and Regulations
As with any business, you need to register a company. This is a fairly simple process that doesn’t take much time and effort. If you don’t have spare time, some companies offer that type of service. They can also consult you on the best approach for choosing a company structure and the best state to register.
Additionally, you might need to acquire niche-specific documents like food safety and quality assurance certifications. As a matcha supplier, you probably want to trade with organically-grown products too as the market is moving more and more in that direction. This will require additional certification.
Product Sourcing
Establishing relationships with matcha producers and farmers is essential. Keep in mind that the highest quality matcha is produced in Japan. Therefore, you’ll need to check the import regulations related to this product. Make sure not to rely on one or two producers only. As a matcha supplier, your business can acquire giant customers that will need constant and bulk quantities of this precious green tea powder.
Packaging and Branding
Matcha supplier businesses focus on selling large quantities of the product. However, one of the growth opportunities for such a business is to invest in packaging tools and sell matcha to retail customers. Selling small packages can maximize profits as the markup for small quantities is much higher than the one for bulk quantities. There are a lot of enthusiasts who wish to try different recipes with matcha or make their own matcha latte from the comfort of their homes.
Prices
Make proper research regarding the prices of different grades of matcha. This will give you a rough idea of the market and what your potential profits can be. Consider factors such as packaging, transportation, storage, and marketing.
Marketing
When you first start your business, you should consider offering discounts and promotions in order to acquire new customers. Some of the most important channels for a matcha supplier business are digital marketing, social media, and cold outreach. Additionally, you can partner with wholesalers of other products such as tea or coffee. They can refer clients to you for a small commission.
Sales
Businesses that stock matcha tea powder are interested not only in the prices but also if their supplier can offer transportation. Offering consultations on the right type of matcha depending on the business needs is also great additional value. Consider attending expos and trade shows where you can not only find new clients but also see what is matcha’s future.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Matcha Suppliers
You’ve decided to incorporate matcha products in your menu? Or maybe you wish to extend the scope of your eCommerce business by selling matcha? Either way, finding a reliable matcha supplier is a must. Here are some of the questions you might have regarding that.
Why Is Matcha Expensive?
The main factors that form the price of a product are the cost to produce it, supply, and demand. Matcha has an increasingly highly demanded product and there’s not enough supply. Additionally, it requires a lot of manual labor for harvesting, grinding, and sorting. That makes the high-quality matcha powder a pricey ingredient.
Which Countries Are the Biggest Matcha Importers?
In recent years, matcha consumption in the US has increased dramatically. That’s why the United States is one of the biggest importers of matcha powder. However, matcha has been popular for centuries in the East. Other leading importers are China, Sri Lanka, and India.
Which Are the Best Countries to Import Matcha From?
Without question, the best country to import matcha from is Japan. The highest grade matcha is produced in Nishio, a region in Japan known for its traditions in the production of this powdered green tea. Additionally, the country is the largest producer of matcha in the world. Hence, most importers look for a matcha supplier in Japan.