We're highlighting exhibitors as we get closer to the 2026 World Tea Expo, returning to the Las Vegas Convention Center March 23-25.
This week, we spoke with Kagoshima Seicha, which was founded over 140 years ago in Kagoshima, Japan, and is one of the region’s most established tea manufacturers.
Tell our readers more about your company.
Since 1881, we have built long-term partnerships with contracted farmers across Kagoshima Prefecture to secure a consistent supply of high-quality tea leaves.
Through vertically integrated sourcing, in-house processing, and strict quality control systems, we provide premium Japanese green tea and matcha to partners worldwide. Our certifications, including JAS Organic, USDA Organic, and FSSC22000, support our commitment to international food safety and export standards.
In addition to bulk supply, we offer private label and OEM solutions through our brand platform, Smile Tea, supporting clients in developing tailored Japanese tea programs for their markets.
Why are you exhibiting at World Tea Expo?
World Tea Expo brings together leading tea professionals from around the world. As a long-established Japanese manufacturer, we see this as an important opportunity to strengthen relationships with global buyers, importers, and brand owners seeking reliable Japanese tea supply.
What do you hope to gain from the Expo?
We aim to expand awareness of Kagoshima as a premier Japanese tea-producing region and to build strategic partnerships with companies looking for stable, long-term sourcing relationships.
We are particularly interested in working with partners seeking certified organic matcha and green tea with consistent quality and dependable supply.
What products/services will you be showing at the Expo?
We will showcase certified organic matcha, sencha, hojicha, and other Japanese green teas produced in Kagoshima.
Our services include:
- Bulk wholesale supply
- Private label production
- OEM manufacturing
- Flexible packaging solutions for retail and foodservice
- Export-compliant documentation and quality assurance support
In addition, we will present our retail brand, Smile Tea, which demonstrates our product development and packaging capabilities. Smile Tea serves as a platform for customized retail programs and private label partnerships for global buyers.
What challenges do you see members of the tea industry facing in 2026, and how can your product/service help them overcome these obstacles?
Global demand for matcha continues to grow rapidly, creating pressure on Japan’s limited production capacity. At the same time, production of “matcha-style” products outside Japan is increasing, which can create confusion regarding origin and quality.
One of the key challenges for industry members in 2026 will be securing stable, authentic Japanese supply amid tightening raw material availability.
At Kagoshima Seicha, we address this by strengthening our long-term partnerships with contracted farmers in Kagoshima Prefecture. By focusing on origin integrity, supply planning, and certified production systems, we aim to provide reliable access to authentic Japanese matcha and green tea even in a constrained market environment.
What trends are you seeing in the tea industry?
Matcha continues to experience global growth across retail, foodservice, and beverage applications. Beyond matcha, we are seeing increasing international interest in Japanese leaf teas such as sencha and hojicha.
Consumers who discover matcha often develop a deeper curiosity about Japanese tea origins, cultivars, and processing methods. This creates opportunities for suppliers who can provide not only products, but also transparency, education, and consistent quality rooted in Japanese production expertise.
To book your sponsorship or exhibit space at World Tea Expo, or to inquire about advertising and sponsorship opportunities at World Tea News, contact:
Ellainy Karaboitis-Christopoulos, Business Development Manager, Questex
Phone: +1-212-895-8493; Email: [email protected]
Looking for professional tea education, certifications, and more? Visit World Tea Academy and register for courses today!
Also, be sure to stay connected with World Tea Expo on social media for details and insights about the event. Follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.