Global trade enabler DP World’s flagship Jebel Ali Port handled 158,000 tonnes of tea in 2017, the equivalent of 50 billion tea bags, said a report from Dubai Media Office.

The volumes reaffirm Dubai’s leading position as one of the world’s largest trading hubs for the commodity and Jebel Ali Port as the leading hub for the global tea business as Dubai hosts the 6th Global Dubai Tea Forum organised by DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre).  

DP World will highlight investment opportunities in the Mena region amid industry expectations that tea sales will grow by 4.9 per cent between 2018 and 2022, according to a recent report by Business Monitor International.

Ahmed Bin Sulayem, executive chairman of DMCC, said: “We have helped position Dubai as a global leader in the tea industry which complements the growing food and beverages sector here. Dubai’s world class infrastructure providing access to international markets has played a crucial role with more than 86 per cent of tea imports and exports passing through Jebel Ali Port, offering a wide range of services such as sorting, packaging and re-exporting to regional markets that cover over 2.5 billion people.”

“Dubai has focused on long term growth in the commodity by integrating innovation into the tea supply chain and ensuring sustainable development. Meeting customer expectations is our top priority and flexible logistics services link manufacturers, distributors and consumers.”

The three-day Global Dubai Tea Forum will discuss the challenges and opportunities facing regional tea markets and highlight Dubai’s position connecting manufacturers, importers and consumers.

The Dubai Industrial Strategy 2030 offers incentives for enhancing the competitiveness of the Food and Beverage sector, including the tea industry. It aims to make Dubai an international hub for knowledge-based, innovation and sustainable industrial activities, creating new opportunities through integration between economic sectors, including commodities such as tea.