Our tea harvesting

The majority of our tea is hand-plucked. We are, however, investigating the opportunities to use new technology in all aspects of our business as that is important for our long-term sustainability. We recognize that the introduction of any new technology in any aspect of our global environment has both positive and negative impacts. Balancing affordability, efficiency, quality and social demands is important and one that we continuously reflect upon.

Our tea experts have borne this in mind as they have developed a hybrid tea harvesting system which uses people where they are more efficient and uses technology where efficiency gains can be obtained, and importantly, not creating gender barriers to employment.

We are undertaking an appraisal of this technology from its wider impact right through to the market acceptance of the final product. This is very much a work in progress.