Welcome to the UruShop news round-up for September 2016. Here we take a look at some of the latest international yerba mate news stories from over the past month.
Boost for Shade Grown Mate in Paraguay
As part of the ongoing effort to drastically reduce the rate of deforestation in Paraguay’s ancient Atlantic Forest – as mentioned in last month’s news round-up – Guyra Paraguay (Birdlife Paraguay) is making available grants of up to £300k for those who peruse traditional shade grown organic yerba mate projects in the area. Because local people who live in the forest often do so in severe poverty, this can often encourage them to clear sections for other purposes. It is hoped the scheme will create 50 hectares of new shade grown mate plantations, with profits being reinvested into community projects. Shade grown organic yerba mate from Guayaki is already available at UruShop.
Source: https://www.birdlife.org/worldwide/news/fancy-mate-only-if-shade-grown
Brazilian Scientists Experiment with Cloning
Scientists in Brazil have been experimenting with cloning seeds from the yerba mate plant. Researchers claim that the purpose of these experiments, which will take around eight years to complete, is to find out which strains of the plant grow best in which geographical regions.
Source: G1 Globo.com
International Markets: Growth in Imports of Brazilian Yerba Mate to Argentina
The vast majority of yerba mate consumed in Uruguay is grown in Brazil, as the land is generally unsuitable for its cultivation. Argentina has traditionally produced nearly all of its own mate, yet in the past year has imported over 118k kg from Brazil. Two main factors are thought to be driving this unprecedented level of trade: the first is rising production costs within the Argentine industry, meaning that it is in some cases cheaper to import. The other, and perhaps more interesting factor, is the growing popularity of the Brazilian-grown brand Canarias, particularly within the city of Buenos Aires. Canarias is Uruguay’s biggest selling yerba mate brand.
The Argentine yerba mate export market has also been significantly damaged in recent months, falling by around 30 percent from this time last year. A key reason for this is the substantial decline of the Syrian market due to ongoing military conflicts in the region.
Sources:
Misiones Online – mate imports increase from Brazil
Misiones Online – mate exports decrease
Yerba Mate to be Represented at SIAL Paris 2016:
The Argentine National Institute for Yerba Mate (INYM) has agreed to the establishment of a ‘pavilion of yerba mate’ at the forthcoming SIAL Paris food and drink show in October. The companies representing yerba mate at the show will be Kraus, Las Marias (Taragui, Union Suave and La Merced) La Cachuera (Amanda), Establishment Hreñuk (Rosamonte), and Santa Anna SA (CBSé). The SIAL is considered one of the most important food fairs in Europe, and provides an excellent opportunity to grow the profile of yerba mate outside of South America.
Source: Misiones Online – SIAL
And Finally…
The 38th National Festival of Yerba Mate will be held in the city of Apóstoles in Missiones, Argentina, beginning on the 28th September and lasting for five days. As well as a range of entertainment from ballet dancing to live music, the festival will also encompass “technology days”, where guests can visit the exhibitors stalls. A contest will also be held to judge the maker of the best mate, with both a “traditional” and “modern” category. The difference between the categories is that participants in the latter group will be allowed to use extra ingredients in addition to just yerba and water.
Sources:
Spotted a yerba mate news story you think should be included in the October bulletin? Please let us know – jack@urushop.co.uk