Driven by the wave of globalization, overseas markets have become the go-to choice for various industries seeking new growth curves. To further promote the development of the smilax Tea industry, Laifeng in Hubei Province, known as the hometown of Chinese smilax tea, has set its sights on the international market.

From wild to cultivated, from scattered plots to large-scale plantations, Laifeng smilax tea has continuously transcended cycles and shown resilient growth. On August 2nd, the Second International Smilax Tea Conference (China·Laifeng) was held in Laifeng, Hubei, leveraging this international platform to usher in a new round of growth for the smilax tea industry.

△Scene from the Second International Smilax Tea Conference (China·Laifeng) (Photographed by “Tea Talk”)

Setting Standards and Seizing Opportunities

Deep Analysis of the Smilax Tea Industry

Smilax tea, a wild vine plant, falls under the category of herbal teas and is primarily distributed in Hubei, Hunan, Chongqing, and other areas. Laifeng smilax tea leads the pack with nearly 100,000 acres under cultivation, accounting for 60% of the national total. Moreover, Laifeng smilax tea has won national geographical protection marks, geographical indication trademarks, and been included in multiple brand rankings, receiving widespread praise.

Liu Jian, Chairman of the Rural Cultural Industry Innovation Alliance of China, Chairman of the National Agricultural Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Innovation Alliance, former State Councilor, former Director of the State Council Poverty Alleviation Office, and former Deputy Minister of Agriculture, stated that the smilax tea industry straddles both the rural revitalization strategy and the Healthy China strategy. Efforts should be made to enhance publicity and fully leverage its role in implementing these two strategies. The smilax tea industry must be developed deeply, finely, meticulously, and to perfection, focusing on the specialization of small-scale industries and their expansion into larger markets.

△Liu Jian, Chairman of the Rural Cultural Industry Innovation Alliance of China, Chairman of the National Agricultural Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Innovation Alliance, former State Councilor, former Director of the State Council Poverty Alleviation Office, and former Deputy Minister of Agriculture (Photographed by “Tea Talk”)

Kim Sung Ju, Consul General of the Republic of Korea in Wuhan, pointed out that tea, as a precious heritage of humanity, has been passed down and developed for thousands of years. Chinese Tea has always been at the center of global Tea culture, exerting a significant impact on human history. It is believed that tea, as a cherished commodity loved by humans, will continue to develop in the future, with renowned Chinese teas including Enshi Laifeng smilax tea playing a crucial role in this process.

△Kim Sung Ju, Consul General of the Republic of Korea in Wuhan (Photographed by “Tea Talk”)

Bishnu Pukar Shrestha, Ambassador of Nepal to China, noted that Nepal and China have maintained a deep friendship characterized by mutual benefit and understanding since ancient times. Nepal appreciates China's remarkable achievements in social and economic development and technological progress. China is one of the world's largest producers and exporters of tea. Cooperation in promoting Nepalese tea by China has the potential to become a global model, and Nepal is confident in this cooperation.

△Bishnu Pukar Shrestha, Ambassador of Nepal to China (Photographed by “Tea Talk”)

Zhai Huqu, Honorary President of the China Agricultural International Cooperation Promotion Association, alternate member of the 16th and 17th Central Committees, and former President of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, expressed that the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee proposed that openness is a distinctive hallmark of China's modernization. We need to further consolidate consensus, use goals to promote development, platforms to facilitate exchanges, and production-sales docking as a means, with the aim of increasing farmers' income. Standing domestically and reaching internationally, we aim to make smilax tea a shining card for Laifeng. The China Agricultural International Cooperation Promotion Association will continue to strongly support the development of Laifeng smilax tea and promote it globally.

△Zhai Huqu, Honorary President of the China Agricultural International Cooperation Promotion Association, alternate member of the 16th and 17th Central Committees, and former President of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (Photographed by “Tea Talk”)

Li Wei, Secretary of the Laifeng County Committee of the CPC, pointed out that this smilax tea conference is a grand event in the tea world and a gathering for tea enthusiasts. Its purpose is to plan the development of the smilax tea industry, guide the expansion of the smilax tea market, accelerate the promotion of the smilax tea brand, and chart a course for enhancing the value of smilax tea. Laifeng County will seize this opportunity to continuously improve the quality of smilax tea, strengthen the brand, expand the market, and share the benefits, continuously writing a new chapter in the development of Laifeng's smilax tea industry.

△Li Wei, Secretary of the Laifeng County Committee of the CPC (Photographed by “Tea Talk”)

Adhering to the industrialized development model of “company + base + professional cooperative + household,” Laifeng's smilax tea industry has achieved continuous progress and reached new heights over time. According to the “Laifeng Smilax Tea Consumer Perception Research and Analysis Report (2024),” consumers generally hold high evaluations of Laifeng smilax tea products, with the combined proportion of “very satisfied” and “satisfied” reaching 86.06%.

Standardization is an essential driver of industrial development. When combined with health, which represents the external growth potential, the two integrate effectively to form a winning combination. Laifeng County understands this well, and during the event, the standards for “Smilax Tea brewing and Tasting Methods” and the “Smilax Tea Nutritional Report” were released, promoting the extension and upgrade of the smilax tea industry chain.

△Release of the “Smilax Tea Brewing and Tasting Methods” standard (Photographed by “Tea Talk”)

△Release of the “Smilax Tea Nutritional Report” (Photographed by “Tea Talk”)

The “2025 National Smilax Tea Industry Development Report” predicts that the national demand for smilax tea will reach 100,000 tons, indicating broad prospects for the industry. To ensure the stable and sustained development of the smilax tea industry on a high-quality track, further interpretation of the “High-Quality Development Action Plan for the Laifeng Smilax Tea Industry” was provided. Going forward, the Laifeng County Party Committee and County Government will provide policy support in four areas: production and processing, technological empowerment, brand building, and market expansion.

Building Production and Sales Channels

Leveraging the Market Economy of Smilax Tea