Australia's biggest tea plantation in Far North Queensland has been hit by two frosts and a prolonged dry period, reducing black tea yields by nearly 50%, and culminating in close to $1 million in production losses.
Nerada’s fresh black tea is grown pesticide-free on its single origin 360-hectare estate at Malanda on the Atherton Tablelands, inland from Cairns.
Australians often fail to realise that tea is grown in Australia, with many international brands dominating the supermarket shelves.
“Every year comes with its farming challenges, which invariably impacts on our cost of production. In these difficult years we rely on the loyalty and support of our customers to keep purchasing our products. This is what keeps farmers going in this great country.”
Nerada Tea has been at the forefront of tea production within Australia since the 1960s. In 2018 it received Rainforest Alliance Certification for its pesticide-free black tea, the first and only Australian agricultural entity to be awarded such certification.
Nerada produces a range of pesticide-free black tea which is is available in loose leaf format, tagged tea bags, cup or pot bags. Nerada also offers a popular range of organic tea and herbal infusion products including peppermint, camomile, lemon and ginger, green tea, chai, hibiscus and lemongrass, rooibos and vanilla and rosehip.
“Even the growing season has been hit hard, cutting our yields of fresh black tea nearly in half," says Nerada plantation director Tony Poyner.
"Most businesses would look to cut costs as a result, but we continue to stand by our employees, many who have been with us for decades, so that we remain a viable part of the local economy.
"While production has been significantly reduced, we’ve kept everyone on the payroll. The team is still here and the machinery has never looked so sharp.”
Nerada’s fresh black tea is grown pesticide-free on its single origin 360-hectare estate at Malanda on the Atherton Tablelands, inland from Cairns.
Australians often fail to realise that tea is grown in Australia, with many international brands dominating the supermarket shelves.
“We need the public’s help to encourage Australian tea drinkers to buy our locally produced Nerada Tea, to ensure longevity of the tea industry and to keep tea production in Australia,” says Poyner.
“Every year comes with its farming challenges, which invariably impacts on our cost of production. In these difficult years we rely on the loyalty and support of our customers to keep purchasing our products. This is what keeps farmers going in this great country.”
Nerada Tea has been at the forefront of tea production within Australia since the 1960s. In 2018 it received Rainforest Alliance Certification for its pesticide-free black tea, the first and only Australian agricultural entity to be awarded such certification.
Nerada produces a range of pesticide-free black tea which is is available in loose leaf format, tagged tea bags, cup or pot bags. Nerada also offers a popular range of organic tea and herbal infusion products including peppermint, camomile, lemon and ginger, green tea, chai, hibiscus and lemongrass, rooibos and vanilla and rosehip.
For details see www.neradatea.com.au
