Rooibos, due to its many benefits and rich flavor, is a product whose demand is growing every day around the world. As I have told you in previous articles, its health properties have made it famous.
What I have never told you is that this specific plant grows in a very special microclimate that exists only in South Africa, specifically in the region southwest of Cape Town. It is there that a special kind of vegetation grows in a thin belt of land (100 to 200 km wide), the “fynbos” biome, belonging to the plant kingdom called “Cape Plant Kingdom”, which is the smallest and richest (per unit area) of the 6 existing plant kingdoms. Fynbos has more than 8,500 plant species, of which 6,000 are endemic, meaning they are only found in this area.
Now, the plant in question, “Asphalatus Linearis” (Rooibos), grows in this very special microclimate and in symbiosis with microorganisms present in the soil, which makes it IMPOSSIBLE for it to grow anywhere else in the world, as has been proven by Americans, Chinese and Australians who have tried to plant Rooibos in their respective countries.
This crop, like all crops, depends on a certain climate (sun and rain) that occurs every year, usually at the same times. However, the last 2 years (2014 and 2015) have seen a severe drought, believed to be due to the El Niño phenomenon. This drought has slowed the growth of the Rooibos plant, which needs 18 months of maturation before it can grow its “leaves”, which has caused the production of this wonderful plant to decrease by an estimated 40% in recent years.
On the other hand, the demand for Rooibos has increased year after year, mainly in the markets of Japan and the United States.
So, on the one hand we have the fall in Rooibos production and on the other the increase in demand, resulting in A NOTABLE INCREASE IN THE VALUE OF THE AVAILABLE PRODUCT. For this reason, Rooibos prices have risen by 90 to 100%, and if we add to this the depreciation of our currency, the Mexican peso, in the last year (20%) you can imagine the situation!
At EURO TE we are aware that the Mexican market likes this herbal tea, which we offer with delicious flavors and in its organic variant, so making a huge effort we will NOT increase the final price of the product in the same proportion, as long as it is possible for us.
We hope you continue to enjoy all the varieties ofRooibos EURO TE , keep in mind that you only need 2 grams to prepare a cup that will bring to your day: health, comfort, calm, flavor and beauty.
Long live Rooibos!
Olivia Medina
Tea Master, EURO TEA
