The Middle East and Africa region accounts for 13.8 per cent of global tea consumption, and is the second largest consumer of tea globally, according to tea experts at the 3rd Global Dubai Tea Forum 2010.

The two-day biennial forum concluded today (March 10) with discussions of trends in innovation and current market developments; tea consumption habits in Canada, the United States, Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States; as well as the growing popularity of flavoured tea globally.

During the event, tea experts also examined effective ways of marketing tea and creating stronger brands, followed by a unique tea tasting session that allowed participants to try a range of teas from different tea producing countries.

“The 3rd Global Dubai Tea Forum has received an overwhelming response from the tea industry worldwide,” said Ahmed bin Sulayem, executive chairman, Dubai Multi Commodities Centre Authority.

“Despite challenging conditions facing the tea industry, due to extreme weather conditions in many producing nations in 2009, we firmly believe that the industry’s renewed emphasis on innovation will provide significant benefits for the trade, across the full spectrum of global markets,” added Sanjay Sethi, director, Dubai Tea Trading Centre (DTTC).

The 3rd Global Dubai Tea Forum took place on March 9 and 10, 2010, at the Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi. The event saw the attendance of over 360 delegates from more 35 countries worldwide.

In 2009, DTTC registered a record 7.5 million kilos of tea traded through the Centre, despite adverse weather conditions reducing global production.

The DTTC presently stocks teas from 13 producing countries, including Kenya, India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Vietnam, Nepal, China and Iran.

In keeping with its mandate to further increase the tea trade in and through Dubai, the DTTC also facilitates sales with buyers in the GCC countries, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Libya, Morocco, Pakistan, Afghanistan, UK and the CIS countries, and has plans to expand its services to other Middle East and European markets.-TradeArabia News Service