The 2024–2026 matcha shortage — why it's expensive & when to restock
If matcha suddenly feels expensive and hard to find, you're not imagining it. A genuine tencha shortage has run through 2024–2026.
Last updated 2026-06-24 · prices noted "as of June 2026" and volatile — verify current before buying.
What's actually happening
- A 2024–2026 shortage of tencha (the leaf matcha is ground from) pushed retail matcha prices well above prior years, with some 2025 prices more than doubling. NBC News — matcha shortage, higher prices & tariffs ↗
- Ippodo imposed per-customer purchase limits and noted Kyoto matcha pricing roughly 2.7x the prior year in its own shortage notice. Ippodo Tea — official purchase-limit / shortage notice (Aug 2025) ↗
- Uji hand-picked tencha output reportedly fell around 40% from 2024 to 2025, attributed partly to extreme heat. Reported One With Tea — 2026 matcha shortage explainer ↗
- Causes stack up: a global demand surge (the 'MatchaTok' boom), relatively few tencha farmers, and tea plants taking ~5 years to mature, so supply can't respond quickly. Reported Perfect Daily Grind — matcha shortage & Japan production ↗
- US import tariffs added further upward pressure on prices for American buyers. NBC News — matcha shortage, higher prices & tariffs ↗
- Outlook: prices are expected to stay roughly 30–60% elevated through late 2026, easing only gradually. Reported One With Tea — 2026 matcha shortage explainer ↗
- Kagoshima is increasingly cited as a more resilient, scalable growing region helping cushion supply. Reported Perfect Daily Grind — matcha shortage & Japan production ↗
The harvest & restock calendar
| Window | What happens | Status |
|---|---|---|
| First harvest (ichibancha) | Roughly late April through May — the prized first spring flush. | Reported Perfect Daily Grind — matcha shortage & Japan production ↗ |
| Premium restocks | Late spring to early summer, after the first-harvest tencha is processed and milled. | Reported Perfect Daily Grind — matcha shortage & Japan production ↗ |
| Who sells out fastest | Single-origin Uji koicha-grade matcha from top makers can sell out within weeks of a restock; mass-market and Kagoshima blends stay in stock longest. | Reported One With Tea — 2026 matcha shortage explainer ↗ |
Shortage FAQ
Why is matcha so expensive right now?
A real 2024–2026 shortage of tencha (the leaf matcha is ground from) pushed prices well above prior years — some 2025 prices more than doubled. The causes stack up: a global demand surge (the 'MatchaTok' boom), relatively few tencha farmers, tea plants taking ~5 years to mature so supply can't respond quickly, and extreme heat hurting Uji output. US import tariffs added further pressure for American buyers.
Is the matcha shortage real?
Yes — it's confirmed by major reporting (NBC) and by makers' own actions: Ippodo imposed per-customer purchase limits and noted Kyoto matcha pricing roughly 2.7x the prior year in its own shortage notice. Specific figures vary by source, but the shortage itself is real.
When will the matcha shortage end?
Not soon, fully. Prices are reported to stay roughly 30–60% elevated through late 2026, easing only gradually, because tea plants take years to mature and demand remains high. Kagoshima is increasingly cited as a more resilient region helping cushion supply.
When is the best time to buy matcha?
Premium first-harvest (ichibancha) matcha is picked roughly late April through May, and premium restocks land late spring to early summer once it's processed and milled. Single-origin Uji koicha-grade from top makers can sell out within weeks of a restock, so buy promptly when it appears; mass and Kagoshima blends stay in stock longest.
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