Overview
- Commerce Équitable France released the inaugural “Teste ton thé” on February 4, assessing social and environmental procurement across 14 brands that account for more than 70% of tea sold in France.
- The analysis finds major multinationals offer limited, piecemeal evidence at scale, with Twinings and Lipton rated orange and Tetley and Mariage Frères rated red on fair pay and environmental criteria.
- Organic and fair‑trade specialists such as Ethiquable, Clipper, Pukka and Chari tea receive the strongest marks, while premium houses show mixed results despite investments in traceability by some.
- The study flags “stowaway” sourcing in which companies buy from certified plantations but pay conventional prices, and it underscores producer hardship including €2.90 daily incomes reported in Assam and rising climate adaptation costs.
- The barometer excludes private‑label teas and drew no immediate comment from industry group Stepi, and its authors urge stable, direct sourcing over auction purchases to lift accountability without increasing retail prices.