Over the last seven years Japanese green tea varieties have been trialled in Manjimup by the Green Tea Partnership Group. The Group being made up of Department of Agriculture, Noah, New World Flora and the Forest Products Commission. During this time work was undertaken to ensure that the tea could be successfully grown in the area, trial green tea varieties, ensure quality was satisfactory and establish yields.

In November, 2006, the Manjimup Green Tea Company Pty Ltd (ABN: 18 122 712 341) was formed by Irene Bowden and Ann Lyster. Irene Bowden has 40 years experience in horticulture with main expertise in plant tissue culture, industry organisation and administration. Ann Lyster has 18 years horticultural experience in growing and managing a major apple and stone fruit, orchard in the Manjimup region.

The purpose of the Company is to promote the growing and processing of green tea in the Manjimup region. There are two main opportunities for participation in this new industry:

1. green tea plantation of approximately 10 hectares plus associated processor to process harvest from the plantation; similar in structure and cost to a vineyard and associated small winery

2. green tea plantation with processing elsewhere; similar to a vineyard with processing at or sales to a winery elsewhere 

What the business plans to achieve: 

·         Purchase insecticide and fungicide free wet leaf from growers and process to high quality aracha (semi processed green tea) and sencha. (fully processed)

·         This product will be exported to Japan, USA  and other European markets.

·         Set price and quality parameters to obtain a reliable and optimum quality of green leaf. 

·         To hire out harvesting and pruning equipment and provide technical support to local tea growers. 

·         Develop our own packaging line to produce high quality green tea for sales in many market segments including import replacement in Australia. 

·         To develop a green tea tourist precinct. 

How the business will achieve its plans: 

·         Work with local growers to establish an initial 50 hectare planting of green tea. 

·         Provide farmers with a Growing Manual to ensure high quality green tea leaf. This manual will be produced in association with Department of Agriculture and Food WA (“DAFWA”). 

·         To co-ordinate the harvesting and delivery of optimal quality leaf to the factory. 

·         Employ a Japanese Master Tea Maker from Japan to train local staff in tea processing. 

·         Operate the processing plant in an efficient and cost effective manner 

·         To work with DAFWA to ensure the industry develops in a sustainable and profitable manner. 

Manjimup Green Tea Company will plant approximately 13 hectares of green tea  in 2007 and 2008.

Expertise in plant tissue culture.

Green tea seedlings in the propagation house.

THE MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS RELATING TO GREEN TEA PRODUCTION:

Q.         Can I make money out of growing green tea?

A.         Yes. Approximately $10,000 per hectare after production costs. This can be achieved after year four when plants are mature. A detailed budget is available and is based on best  practice methods.

Q.         How much will it cost me to initially set up the project.?

A.         The initial costs are very similar to wine/grape production and a budget is available outlining these costs.

Q.         How long will it take me to obtain a return on my investment?

A.         Economic production occurs from year four  onwards. However a smaller return is available in year three.

Q.         Will my property be suitable for the production of green tea?

A.         Climatically the Manjimup, Pemberton, Nannup areas are particularly suitable as they have supplies of good quality water, a more temperate climate, low frost impact and suitable soil types. Also the chance of hot drying winds is much reduced.

Q.         How much water would be required?

A.         4.5 mega litres is required per hectare. This water needs to be of good quality.

Q.         How should I irrigate the crop?

A.         Through double rows of trickle irrigation on each bed of plants.

Q.         Will I need to prepare the soil prior to planting?

A.         General land preparation such as ripping, rotary hoeing and weed control is all that is required.

Q.         How many plants will I require per hectare?.

A.         18,700 is the recommended planting. This produces a quick coverage of the hectare resulting in production after year 4. Of course less plants could be planted but it takes more time to reach optimum production.

Q.         What is the most economical area of planting?

A.         In blocks of 5 hectares. However 1hectare  is still economical to grow.

Q.         How will I plant the green tea?

A.         This is done automatically by a single or double row planting machine.

Q.         When does planting occur?

A.         Spring or autumn planting has been demonstrated to be the best time.

Q.         What clones or varieties are available?

A.         There are a number of different varieties that flush at different times. This is important  so as to allow harvesting to occur over a longer period.

Q.         What maintenance of the green tea plants is required?

A.         Regular fertigation through the trickle lines, pre emergent weed control and spot spraying of weeds as required. Weed control is especially important in the first 2 years.

Q.         How will I harvest the green tea?

A.         A machine automatically gathers the new shoots from the top of the beds and approximately 1 hectare can be harvested per day.

Q.         How far from the factory can my plantation be situated?

A.         Tea can be harvested throughout the day and transported to the factory at the end of the day. Whilst harvesting occurs the green leaf is kept in cool bins, in a shaded area. Ideally you would need to be within 2.5 hours of the factory.

Q.         When will I need to replant my green tea?

A.         The green tea will be productive for 25-30 years although many older plants still provide a good yield.

Q.         When I decide to plant will plants be available?

A.         Plants are produced to order and take 12months to be of a suitable size for automatic planting.

Please email contact@manjimupgreentea.com with your questions.