HUNAN TEA GROUP

What HUNAN TEA GROUP does

Hunan Tea Group Co., Ltd. (湖南省茶业集团股份有限公司) is a state-affiliated, vertically integrated tea company headquartered in Changsha, Hunan Province, China, operating as a key investment enterprise of the Hunan Provincial Supply and Marketing Cooperative. The group controls and equity-participates in 60+ enterprises, operates 99 ecological tea garden bases covering 64.5万亩 (approximately 43,000 hectares, of which 14.5万亩 are internationally organically certified), and runs six large industrial parks with 225,000 sqm of processing area and over 100,000 tonnes of annual capacity. Its processing base includes historic assets such as Baishaxi Tea Factory (founded 1939), Yiyang Tea Factory (founded 1953/1958), and Junshan Yinzhen Tea Company, spanning all major Chinese tea categories — black, Fu (dark) brick, yellow, green, white, oolong, and scented tea, plus instant/functional tea via its Xiangcha Hi-Tech subsidiary.

The group sells through a multi-channel architecture: 2,300+ branded specialty stores and 23,000+ marketing outlets in China, four Tmall flagship stores, four overseas marketing subsidiaries reaching nearly 100 countries, and dedicated border-tea specialty stores (Xiangyi) for northwest ethnic minority markets. New-retail brands "Hezuo Mingcha" (launched 2024) and "Chashouyi" target young consumers with modern tea beverages and experiential stores in Changsha, Beijing, Jishou, and Kashgar (opened October 2025). Its technology stack includes machine vision quality control (99.8% impurity-removal precision), proprietary three-layer microwave fixation and induced-regulation flowering processes, 5G smart tea garden systems, and blockchain-based traceability. R&D is anchored by four provincial/ministerial-level research platforms and a National Science and Technology Progress Second Prize, with 85 patents and 16 national standards authored.

Revenue is generated primarily through domestic retail/wholesale of branded teas, e-commerce direct sales, and export trade — 2024 group sales revenue reached 7.2 billion RMB with export value exceeding US$80 million. The company also operates a non-tea diversified subsidiary (Zhongxiang Heavy Industries, producing trenchless pipe-jacking equipment) and the Hunan Tea Museum as a cultural/diplomatic asset. Pricing spans ¥49 bulk tea to ¥1,956 premium commemorative gift boxes; wholesale pricing is not publicly disclosed.

Name

HUNAN TEA GROUP

Legal name

湖南省茶业集团股份有限公司

Website

https://xiangtea.com.cn

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Hunan Tea Group is a state-affiliated, vertically integrated Chinese tea company operating 99 tea garden bases, six industrial parks, 2,300+ domestic stores, and exports to nearly 100 countries, serving traditional retail, ethnic minority border-tea, and young-consumer new-retail segments under multiple historic brands.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Tea Manufacturing

NAICS

Coffee and Tea Manufacturing (31192)

SIC

Beverages (2080)

akta.pro primary industry

Specialty Coffee & Tea (Single-Origin, Micro-lot, Premium) Processing (AFAFADAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Instant Tea, Tea Extracts & Concentrates Manufacturing (AFAFADAH), Tea Blending & Flavoring (AFAFADAG)

Keywords

• Tea cultivation
• Tea processing
• Tea distribution
• Tea export
• New tea retail

Headquarters

HQ city

Tianxin

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Domestic retail and wholesale sales: Sales through owned branded stores, chain stores, distributors, and franchise stores across China. 2300+ branded stores and 23000+ marketing outlets nationwide.
2. International export trade: Tea export to nearly 100 countries and regions through 4 overseas marketing companies. Products include organic tea, black tea, and EU-compliant tea. Export revenue exceeded US$80 million in 2024.
3. E-commerce / Online retail: Online sales through Tmall stores including Baishaxi Flagship Store, Xiangyi Flagship Store, Junshan Tea Flagship Store, and Xiaoxiang Tea Flagship Store

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Hunan Tea Group Co., Ltd. (湖南省茶业集团股份有限公司) is a full industrial-chain tea enterprise integrating tea research, planting, processing, production, sales, and tea culture dissemination. It produces and sells black tea, Fu brick tea, yellow tea, green tea, white tea, oolong, scented tea, and instant tea under multiple brands (Baishaxi, Xiangyi, Junshan, Guzhang, Xiaoxiang, Hezuo Mingcha, Chashouyi). It operates 99 ecological tea garden bases covering 64.5万亩 (~43,000 hectares), 6 industrial parks with over 100,000 tonnes of annual processing capacity, 2,300+ branded retail stores and 23,000+ marketing outlets in China, and exports to nearly 100 countries.

Product overview

湖南省茶业集团股份有限公司 (Hunan Tea Group Co., Ltd.) is a full-chain operation enterprise integrating tea research, planting, processing, production, sales, and tea culture dissemination, with both domestic and foreign trade operations. The company operates as a multi-brand portfolio under a unified corporate umbrella, combining traditional tea manufacturing with new retail concepts. Its core brands include: Baishaxi (dark tea/Fu tea, founded 1939), Xiangyi/Yiyang Tea Factory (Fu brick tea, founded 1953), Xiaoxiang Tea (bulk/wholesale tea), and Xiang Tea Hi-Tech (instant/functional tea). New retail brands include Hezuo Mingcha (full-category mid-to-high-end tea retail launched 2024) and Cha Shou Yi (modern tea beverage targeting young consumers). The group also operates Junshan Silver Needle Tea Co. (yellow tea), Guzhang Tea (green tea), Shaoshan Tea (red tea), and a Hunan Tea Museum for cultural promotion. A non-tea diversified business is Zhongxiang Heavy Industries, which manufactures trenchless pipe jacking and tunneling equipment. The product portfolio spans all major tea categories: green tea, black tea (including Anhua dark tea), yellow tea (including Junshan Silver Needle), white tea, oolong, flower/scented tea, and craft tea, plus functional/instant tea products. The group manages 99+ ecological tea garden bases covering 64.5万亩 (approximately 10,733 hectares) across Hunan Province, operates 6 large industrial parks with 100,000-ton annual processing capacity, and maintains extensive domestic sales networks of 2,300+ brand stores and 23,000+ marketing outlets, with exports to nearly 100 countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 白沙溪 (Baishaxi): Dark tea and Anhua black tea brand, established 1939, first to create black brick, flower brick, and Fuzhuan brick teas.
• 湘益 (Xiangyi)
• 君山 (Junshan)
• 合作茗茶 (Hezuo Mingcha)
• 茶守艺 (Chashouyi)
• 潇湘 (Xiaoxiang)
• 韶山红 (Shaoshan Red)
• 古丈毛尖 (Guzhang Maojian)
• 臻溪 (Zhenxi)

Products and services

• Baishaxi (白沙溪) Dark Tea Brand Historic dark/Anhua black tea brand operated by Hunan Baishaxi Tea Factory Co., Ltd. (established 1939). Producer of China's first black brick, flower brick, and Fu brick teas; holds Fu brick tea production techniques and Qianliang tea manual production techniques as National Intangible Cultural Heritage. Sold through retail stores, Tmall flagship store, and distributors.
• Xiangyi (湘益) Fu Brick Tea Brand Fu brick tea brand operated by Yiyang Tea Factory Co., Ltd. (founded 1953). Described as 'mysterious tea of the ancient Silk Road' and 'life tea for northwestern ethnic minorities.' Selected in 2025 as Hunan's first batch provincial-level ICH productive protection demonstration base for Fu brick tea production techniques.
• Xiaoxiang Tea (潇湘茶业) Wholesale/Bulk Tea Wholesale and bulk tea business covering green tea, black tea, oolong, white tea, dark tea, yellow tea, flower tea, and craft tea varieties sourced from multiple origins nationwide. Distributed via Tmall flagship store and wholesale channels.
• Xiang Tea Hi-Tech (湘茶高科) Instant/Functional Tea Modern high-tech instant tea subsidiary integrating tea production, processing, research, sales, and tea culture dissemination. Produces instant tea and tea extract products including Qingqing Tea (轻轻茶) and Panda Uncle (熊猫大叔). Operates Xiangcha High-Tech Industrial Park in Changsha.
• Hezuo Mingcha (合作茗茶) New Retail Tea Brand Full-category mid-to-high-end tea consumption brand launched in 2024, positioned as a new retail system connecting tea farmers, channels, and consumers. Features 5G smart tea gardens and blockchain traceability. Operates multiple direct stores in Changsha and other cities.
• Chashouyi (茶守艺) Modern Tea Beverage Brand New retail tea beverage brand targeting young urban consumers. Offers products such as fresh tea, milk tea, and fruit & vegetable tea series, including signature items like Hunan Jasmine and Light Beauty Health Tea. Operates experiential stores in Changsha (Wangfujing, Shuguang Tea Factory, Hunan Martyrs Park, Hunan Museum).
• Hunan Tea Museum (湖南省茶叶博物馆) Tea culture museum offering non-heritage project experiences such as thousand-tael tea making techniques, cultural exhibitions, and cultural creative products (tea-scented fragrances, cultural refrigerator magnets, collectible books). Designated as Central South University International Student National Conditions Education Base.
• Shaoshan Tea (韶山茶业) Brand Produces Shaoshan Red (韶山红) regional public brand of Xiangtan City for black tea. Operated by the group with government cooperation. Products include Shaoshan Red Dragon Pearl, Special Grade Maojian Green Tea, and Shaofeng Yuan Special Grade Golden Tea.
• Guzhang Tea (古丈茶业) Green Tea Brand Produces Guzhang Maojian (古丈毛尖) green tea, a famous Hunan tea from Guzhang County made from premium leaves of the Wuling Mountains. Brand features calligraphy by Huang Yongyu and endorsement by Song Zuying. Known for fragrance, mellow taste, and durability.
• Junshan Silver Needle (君山银针) Yellow Tea Brand Premium yellow tea brand operated by Hunan Junshan Silver Needle Tea Co., Ltd. Junshan Silver Needle is one of China's Top Ten Famous Teas and the 'Crown of Yellow Tea,' made entirely from bud tips on Dongting Lake's Junshan Island. Known for its three-rises-and-three-falls brewing spectacle. Awarded Chinese Famous Trademark in 2009.
• Zhongxiang Heavy Industries (中翔重工) Trenchless Pipe Jacking Equipment Diversified subsidiary (中翔重工科技) manufacturing trenchless pipe jacking machines, shield machines, and TBM full-face tunneling equipment. Produces slurry balance pipe jacking machines (Ø250-Ø4000mm), earth pressure balance machines, and rock pipe jacking machines for municipal pipeline construction under complex geological conditions.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2024 group sales revenue of 7.2 billion RMB, export exceeding US$80 million
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and moderate.

• Meskay & Femtee Trading CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 April 2026Pakistan-China tea industry cooperation MoU signed in Changsha during President Zardari's visit. Covers cooperation in tea sector development between Pakistani entities and Hunan Tea Group, part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) bilateral economic cooperation framework.
• Lucion Environmental Technology GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 April 2026Seawater desalination project MoU between Sindh's local government and Lucion Environmental Technology Group, signed as part of the three MoUs during President Zardari's visit to China. Part of broader China-Pakistan industrial cooperation.
• Long Ping Hi-tech Information CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 April 2026Agricultural technology cooperation MoU signed with Long Ping Hi-tech Information Company as part of three MoUs covering water desalination, agricultural technology, and tea sector cooperation during President Zardari's China visit.
• Hunan Baishaxi Tea Factory Co., Ltd. (湖南省白沙溪茶厂股份有限公司)coreOthersSubsidiary established in 1939, historically created China's first black brick, flower brick and Fu brick teas. Recognized as one of five national excellent tea factories in 1956. Holds Fu brick tea production techniques as National Intangible Cultural Heritage.
• Yiyang Tea Factory Co., Ltd. (益阳茶厂股份有限公司)coreOthersSubsidiary established 1958, designated as largest Fu brick tea producer and largest Fu tea raw material storage enterprise in China. A 中华老字号 (Time-honored Brand) enterprise. Selected as first batch provincial ICH productive protection demonstration base in 2025.
• Hunan Xiang Tea Hi-Tech Co., Ltd. (湖南省湘茶高科技有限公司)coreOthersWholly-owned subsidiary of Hunan Tea Group, a modern high-tech instant tea enterprise integrating tea production, processing, research, sales and tea culture communication. Operates Xiangcha High-tech Industrial Park.
• Xiangxi Tea Group (湘西茶业集团)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic cooperation agreement signed March 2025 for supply chain collaboration, promoting Xiangxi golden tea, Guzhang Maojian, and Yongshun Blueberry tea through the 'Hezuo' brand platform. Joint launch of 'Hezuo' brand Jishou store.
• Hunan Central South University (中南大学)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerHunan Tea Museum designated as International Student National Conditions Education Base for Central South University (May 2025). The university has 1400+ international students from 120+ countries, partnering for tea culture education and cultural exchange programs.
• Hunan Broadcasting System / Tea Channel (湖南广播电视台茶频道)moderateGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia partnership for tea culture promotion and Hunan Tea Expo coverage. Tea Channel covered major events including Shaoshan Red brand launch and cooperative tea industry development.
• Xiangtan City Government / 湘潭市供销合作社moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation on 'Shaoshan Red' (韶山红) regional public brand development. 'Shaoshan Red' Brand Operations Center launched May 2025 at Xiangtan. Government supports brand building and tea industry development.
• ECOCERT Germany CERESmoderateTechnology or IntegrationInternational organic certification body providing organic tea certification for tea garden bases. 145,000 mu (14.5万亩) of tea gardens have passed ECOCERT Germany CERES organic tea international certification.
• Hunan Business Vocational and Technical College (湖南商务职业技术学院)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerSchool-enterprise cooperation since 2010 through joint training bases and vocational education groups. Nearly 1000 students trained over 10 years with preferential employment of outstanding graduates.
• Hunan Network Engineering Vocational College (湖南网络工程职业学院)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerComprehensive cooperation including training base construction, student internship, employment, 'dual-teacher' team building, discipline construction, and research collaboration. 200+ students interned, 102 students hired, 1200+ student beneficiaries.
• Baishaxi Tea Factory & 'Bainian Chishui' Liquor (百年赤水酒业)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic cooperation signing between Baishaxi Tea Factory and well-known enterprises including 'Bainian Chishui' liquor and 'Lamengzi' (辣妹子) food at 2025 Baishaxi Brand Marketing Summit for diversified business development.
• 'Hezuo' (合作) Brand (internal ecosystem)coreOthersFull-category high-end tea brand platform integrating supply chain partners, tea farmers and cooperatives, retail channels and consumers. Launched 2024, positioned for brand export transformation. Integrates 5G smart tea gardens and blockchain traceability.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• China Tea Co., Ltd. (中茶公司): China's largest state-owned tea company under COFCO, operating full-chain tea production across multiple famous tea categories (Pu'er, Longjing, black tea). Direct comparable as another SOE-controlled, full-chain Chinese tea manufacturer with similar multi-brand portfolio, export operations, and government backing.
• Menghai Tea Factory (大益茶业集团): Leading Chinese dark/Pu'erh tea manufacturer with strong brand recognition, multi-category processing, and significant domestic retail and export operations. Comparable to Hunan Tea Group's Baishaxi/Xiangyi heritage brands and dark tea dominance.
• Yunnan Pu-erh Tea Group (云南普洱茶集团): Yunnan-based integrated tea producer specializing in Pu'erh tea with vertically integrated gardens, processing, and branded retail. Direct comparable as another provincial SOE-affiliated Chinese tea group with heritage branding and multi-channel distribution.
• Anhui Tea Industry Group (安徽茶业集团): Major Chinese tea group operating in green tea (Keemun, Huangshan Maofeng) and black tea with full production and distribution. Comparable to Hunan Tea Group in structure as a provincial-level integrated tea manufacturer serving both B2B export and domestic retail.

Emerging players

• HEYTEA (喜茶): Leading new-style Chinese tea beverage chain with thousands of stores, premium positioning, and strong young-consumer brand. Comparable to Chashouyi brand specifically—competes in the modern tea beverage retail category where Hunan Tea Group is building a presence.
• Chagee (霸王茶姬): Fast-growing premium new-style tea beverage chain that has expanded into overseas markets including Southeast Asia and the US. Comparable as both a competitor to Chashouyi in domestic new retail tea and as a benchmark for Hunan Tea Group's international brand expansion ambitions.
• Nayuki Holdings: Hong Kong-listed premium new-style tea chain with strong urban retail presence and brand recognition among young Chinese consumers. Comparable to Chashouyi and Hezuo Mingcha brands as a direct competitor for young consumer tea beverage spending.

Broad incumbents

• Ito En (伊藤园): Japan's largest tea beverage company, producing RTD teas, packaged teas, and operating tea restaurants globally. Comparable as an established Asian tea manufacturer with diversified branded consumer products, RTD tea portfolio, and international distribution.
• COFCO Tea (中粮茶业): Tea division of COFCO, China's largest state-owned food conglomerate, operating tea manufacturing and trading alongside broader agricultural products. Comparable as a large SOE-backed diversified food/tea operator with significant export and retail presence.
• Dilmah Tea: Sri Lankan family-owned tea producer with vertically integrated single-origin tea operations across multiple categories and global export presence. Comparable as a vertically integrated premium tea brand with strong international distribution and brand-led positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds4 records

Investors9 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about HUNAN TEA GROUP