What we trade · 05
Tea and coffee, branded and private label.
Ceylon and specialty tea, and premium instant, ground and whole-bean coffee, for wholesale buyers: retailers, distributors, foodservice and packers. We represent finished brands and source bulk and private-label supply.
Tea and coffee for retail, foodservice and private label
Hot drinks are crowded categories. A new range wins a listing when the buyer can see what it adds to the shelf: a price tier, a format, an origin or a gap in the range. Bulk and private-label buyers look for consistent cup quality, packaging options and dependable lead times.
Union Trade works on both. We represent tea and coffee brands to distributors and retail buyers, and we source tea and coffee for packers and private-label programs. Union Trade is Basilur's agent for UK and European retail. This is one of the categories the Functional Brands Group team has worked in.
What we supply
Typical products we can source or represent:
Ceylon black tea and blends
loose leaf, tea bags, gift tins and collections
Green and flavored teas
and herbal and fruit infusions
Tea for foodservice and hospitality
individually wrapped tea bags and foodservice packs
Premium instant coffee
freeze-dried, agglomerated and micro-ground
Roast and ground coffee and whole beans
Coffee capsules and pods
for compatible machines
Bulk tea
for blending and packing, and bulk soluble coffee for private label
Private-label tea and coffee ranges
Which formats and specifications do buyers ask for?
Retail formats include tagged and untagged tea bags, pyramid bags, loose-leaf tins and caddies, gift packs, instant coffee in glass jars, refill packs and stick packs, ground coffee in valve bags, whole beans and capsules. Foodservice uses wrapped tea bags, bulk instant and vending-grade soluble coffee.
Parameters we check:
- Tea: origin and leaf grade (from whole-leaf grades to fannings and dust for tea bags), moisture, cup profile, pesticide residues against the destination market's maximum residue levels, and pyrrolizidine alkaloids in tea and herbal infusions for UK and EU buyers
- Coffee: species and origin, roast profile, grind size, moisture, solubility and bulk density for instant, caffeine content and decaffeination method, ochratoxin A and acrylamide
- Packaging: barrier properties, valves, nitrogen flushing and shelf life
- Certificates: food safety certification, organic, Fairtrade or Rainforest Alliance, kosher or halal, where the producer holds them and the buyer requires them
Who buys Ceylon tea and coffee wholesale?
- Grocery, discount and convenience retailers
- Department stores, specialty food and gift retailers
- Distributors and wholesalers
- Foodservice, hospitality and office coffee providers
- Tea and coffee packers and private-label suppliers
- Online retailers
Quality and compliance checks
- US entry: the producer's FDA food facility registration where required, prior notice for each shipment, and supplier documents for the importer's FSVP.
- US labels: statement of identity, net quantity in both US customary and metric units, ingredient statement for blends and flavored products, allergen declaration, and Nutrition Facts where required.
- UK and EU claims: product names and descriptors on herbal and functional infusions, such as "detox" or "immunity", are checked against health-claim rules before buyers see them.
- Residues: maximum residue levels differ between the US, UK and EU, so lot results are checked against the market of sale.
This is a checklist, not legal advice. We work alongside licensed customs brokers and regulatory consultants. See distribution and retail listings and brand development and private label.
Questions
Do you represent tea and coffee brands in the UK and EU?
Yes. Union Trade is Basilur's agent for UK and European retail, presenting the range to grocery, specialty and department-store buyers. We also talk to tea and coffee producers that want representation in the US, UK or EU. Tell us about your range, current markets and certifications through the brand representation form.
Can you supply private-label tea or coffee?
We look for packers and roasters that produce private-label tea bags, loose tea, instant coffee, ground coffee and capsules to your specification. We compare cup quality, packaging options, certifications and minimum runs, then coordinate samples, label review for the destination market and the supply contract with the producer you choose.
What do retail buyers ask for before listing a new tea or coffee range?
Usually a clear category case showing what the range adds to the shelf, a trade price structure with the retailer's margin, a promotional plan, pack and label compliance, product specifications and certificates, and evidence that the supplier can deliver to the retailer's distribution centers on time. We prepare and present that package with the brand.