Iran and Sri Lanka Restart $250 Million Tea Barter | India Exporters Expect Iran to Resume Tea Orders Halted Last November | Israel Competition Authority Declares Wiassotzky Tea a Monopoly

HEAR THE HEADLINES – Sri Lanka Restarts $250 Million Tea Barter to Settle Iranian Oil Debt | India Exporters Expect Iran to Resume Tea Orders Halted Last November | Israel Declares Wissotzky Tea a Monopoly | Rohit Jawa Takes Charge at Hindustan Unilever| NEWSMAKER – Ksenia Hleap, Development and Communications Director at AVPA, the Paris-based Agency for the Valorization of Agricultural Products, updates listeners on the 6th Teas of the World contest.| FEATURE INTRO – AVPA is a non-governmental, non-profit organization mainly composed of producers and taste enthusiasts. AVPA’s annual Teas of the World contest offers more value than a medal. AVPA services include tasting workshops, technical support, and distributor staff training. During the past six years, the organization has elevated the status of tea and herbal producers, large and small, not only on the global stage but in their local markets. Teas must be traceable from origin and cannot be chemically flavored. A technical jury of professionals evaluates the teas, followed by a gastronomic jury of enthusiasts that mirror consumer preferences. The deadline to enter is Aug. 31, 2023. Register at AVPA.FR (Agence pour la Valorisation des Produits Agricoles)AVPA Call for Entries for 6th Teas of the World Contest – Over the years, there’s been a steady increase in how many entered the competition, says Ksenia Hleap, Development and Communications Director at AVPA. “Last year, we had more than 300 participants, 33% more than the previous year. This year was very, very rich in possibilities for us. And for some members from AVPA to visit the producing countries. We are in contact with all producing countries for monovarietal teas, infusion lands, and herbal teas. The difficulties sometimes are just the way of communication because we contact the tea boards in every country. Unfortunately, not all tea boards respond. We are contacting the associations and tea cooperatives also. So, it depends on the countries and depends on different histories.” Hleap said recognition in Paris, in the capital of gastronomy, gives contest winners the right to put the AVPA medal on their packaging and promote their tea worldwide. “But the biggest advantage is recognition in their local market. Even those who do not earn a medal benefit, she explains. “All our participants are winners because they dare to register for the contest and sell their products. Unfortunately, not all of them are winners this year, but they will probably be next or another because they are doing a very great job. They are putting their hearts and time into what they are doing,” she said.<br/><br/>Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/tea-biz/donations<br/><br/>Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands<br/><br/>Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy