Matcha Wholesale Price in Philippines: 2026 Landed Cost, Duty & MOQ Guide
Wholesale matcha bought for the Philippine market is typically priced per kilogram in US dollars, with culinary and ingredient grades at the lower end and premium ceremonial grade far higher — but a per-kilogram catalog figure is only the starting point. Your true wholesale cost in the Philippines is the Japan-side wholesale (FOB) price plus freight, insurance, import duty, the 12% import VAT, FDA registration and inland delivery. This guide gives an honest, source-cited view of current wholesale ranges by grade, what actually moves the price, how a Philippine landed cost is built from an FOB quote, the customs and FDA steps that decide your total, and how to lock a stable price with a supplier — including how JMEX supports importers on the export side.
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Key Takeaways
- Publicly listed international wholesale catalogs put culinary/barista ceremonial matcha in the tens-to-low-hundreds of USD per kg and premium ceremonial well above that; treat every figure as an ex-supplier (FOB) indication, not a landed Philippine price or a JMEX quote.
- Your landed cost is a stack, not a single number: FOB + freight/insurance (CIF) + import duty + 12% VAT + FDA registration + inland delivery. Compare suppliers on landed cost, never on the catalog number alone.
- Matcha is classified as tea under HS heading 0902. Verify the exact AHTN sub-line and any PJEPA preferential rate for Japanese-origin tea with the Tariff Commission before you quote a landed cost.
- You cannot legally sell imported matcha in the Philippines without an FDA-licensed importer holding an FDA License to Operate and a Certificate of Product Registration for the product — build this into cost and lead time.
- The biggest price movers are grade, harvest supply and FX: the tencha harvest and grade, the PHP/JPY exchange rate, and freight — which is why a locked specification and a written quote matter more than chasing the lowest headline price.
Researched and reviewed by the Matcha Times Editorial Team, operated by the Japan Matcha Export Organization (JMEX). Last reviewed: 2026-09-28. See our Editorial Policy and Sources & Methodology. Found an error? Tell us.
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How much does wholesale matcha cost in the Philippines right now?
The honest answer: there is no single “Philippine wholesale price,” because almost all genuine Japanese matcha is imported, and the number you pay depends on grade, order size, the PHP/JPY rate and how much of the import chain the supplier has already absorbed. Publicly listed international wholesale catalogs show culinary and ceremonial matcha priced in US dollars per kilogram, rising steeply for premium ceremonial grade. Those are reference points, not quotes — ex-supplier (FOB) or the seller’s own delivered price in another market, not a Philippine landed cost. Use them to bracket a budget, then rebuild the number for your own shipment.
A practical rule for a Philippine buyer: separate the grade, the trade term and the compliance cost before you compare. A low FOB figure from an unnamed source, with no grade specification, no certificate of analysis and no clarity on duty and FDA registration, is not cheaper — it is unpriced risk. The sections below turn a catalog range into a defensible landed cost.
Wholesale matcha price by grade
Grade is the single largest driver of wholesale matcha price, because it reflects the leaf (first-harvest shaded tencha for ceremonial grade versus later harvests for culinary), the stone-mill or industrial milling, colour and flavour. The ranges below are indicative reference ranges from publicly listed international wholesale catalogs, expressed ex-supplier (FOB) in USD per kilogram; they are indicative brackets for budgeting, not a Philippine landed price and not a JMEX quote. Confirm any figure against a current written quote for your grade and volume.
| Grade tier | Typical B2B use | Indicative wholesale range (FOB, USD/kg — reference only) |
|---|---|---|
| Culinary / ingredient | Baking, ice cream, confectionery, RTD and protein blends | Lowest tier — tens of USD per kg |
| Premium culinary / barista | Cafe lattes, foodservice, mid-tier retail | Low-to-mid — tens to ~US$100+/kg |
| Ceremonial | Straight-drinking matcha, premium cafe and retail lines | High — roughly US$100–150+/kg |
| Premium / competition ceremonial | Flagship ceremonial SKUs, gifting | Highest — can exceed several hundred USD/kg |
Two cautions. First, do not confuse retail-per-kg with wholesale: a retail tin re-quoted per kilogram looks like a wholesale price but is not. Second, the same word “ceremonial” covers a wide quality band, so a specification (harvest, region, particle size, colour target) matters more than the label when you compare quotes.
What moves the matcha price
If you buy repeatedly, understanding the drivers is worth more than any single quote. Four factors move the wholesale price you are offered:
- Harvest and grade supply — ceremonial-grade tencha from the shaded first harvest is limited and labour-intensive; a tight harvest or strong global demand pushes premium grades up first.
- The PHP/JPY exchange rate — you buy in JPY-linked terms but sell in pesos, so the PHP/JPY rate can change your landed cost between the quote and the payment. Track the reference rate from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.
- Freight and insurance — ocean/air freight, insurance and fuel surcharges sit on top of the FOB price and move with the market.
- Order size and contract terms — larger, regular volumes and a locked annual specification usually earn better pricing than one-off spot orders.
For market context, Japan’s green-tea export total reached roughly ¥36.4 billion on about 8,798 tonnes in 2024 according to Japan’s Ministry of Finance trade statistics — note this is the green-tea TOTAL (value and volume for all green tea, not matcha alone), and it signals the premium, demand-driven backdrop behind matcha pricing rather than a matcha-specific figure.
From an FOB quote to a Philippine landed cost
A supplier’s per-kg number is rarely what the matcha costs on your shelf. To compare offers fairly, rebuild every quote into a landed cost using the same stack, then confirm the variable items — duty and FDA fees — with the primary authority rather than assuming them.
The landed-cost stack
For a Japan-origin matcha shipment into the Philippines, the components are consistent even when the exact figures are not:
| Cost component | What it is / how to verify |
|---|---|
| FOB / ex-works price | The supplier’s matcha price at origin for your grade and volume — the base of everything else |
| Freight & insurance (to CIF) | Ocean or air freight, insurance and surcharges to the Philippine port — from your forwarder |
| Import duty | Applied to the customs (dutiable) value; depends on the AHTN 0902 line and whether a PJEPA preferential rate applies — verify with the Tariff Commission |
| Import VAT (12%) | The Philippine value-added tax on imports, charged on the landed (dutiable value + duty + other charges) base — confirm the current rate/base with the Bureau of Customs |
| FDA registration | Amortised cost of the importer’s LTO and the product CPR (see below) — a one-time and renewal cost spread across volume |
| Customs clearance & inland | Broker fees, port charges and inland delivery to your facility |
Import duty and HS classification (verify, do not assume)
Matcha is classified as tea under HS heading 0902. The Philippines applies the AHTN tariff schedule, and Japan and the Philippines have a bilateral economic partnership (PJEPA) that can reduce or eliminate duties on many Japanese-origin goods. Whether a specific tea sub-line is dutiable, and at what MFN or PJEPA preferential rate, must be checked against the current schedule. Do not assume a duty figure: confirm the exact AHTN 0902 sub-line and rate using the Philippine Tariff Commission Tariff Finder (PJEPA) and the Bureau of Customs before you quote a landed cost, and keep the certificate of origin that a PJEPA claim requires.
FDA Philippines: LTO and Certificate of Product Registration
Matcha sold in the Philippines is a prepackaged food, so it falls under the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Philippines. A foreign supplier cannot register directly: a Philippine-based importer or distributor must first hold an FDA License to Operate (LTO), then obtain a Certificate of Product Registration (CPR) for the product before it can be legally sold or distributed. Budget both the cost and the lead time, and make sure your label artwork and the tested specification match the registered dossier — a mismatch is a common cause of delay.
Outlook for matcha wholesale pricing in the Philippines
Demand-side, matcha has moved from niche to mainstream in Philippine cafes and retail, and commercial market-research providers project continued double-digit growth for the local matcha category — though estimates vary widely by provider and definition, so treat any single market-size number as directional, not exact. On the supply side, premium ceremonial grade stays tight because first-harvest shaded tencha is limited, while culinary grades are more elastic. For a buyer, the practical implication is stability planning: lock volume and grade with a reliable exporter, hold a written specification, and expect premium grades to remain firm even as culinary pricing moves with harvest and freight.
How to lock stable wholesale pricing with a supplier
Rather than ranking brands, evaluate any matcha supplier — a local reseller or a Japan-direct exporter — against the same verifiable criteria. The right partner gives you a price you can defend to finance and repeat next quarter, not just the lowest headline number. Use this checklist to compare on facts you can verify, not claims.
| Criterion | What to verify with any supplier |
|---|---|
| Written quote with trade term | A price stated as FOB/CIF for a named grade and volume — not a vague “per kg” figure |
| Grade specification | Harvest, region, particle size, colour and flavour target — so “ceremonial” means the same thing on repeat orders |
| Per-lot certificate of analysis | Sensory and safety results (pesticide/MRL, heavy metals, microbiological) from an accredited laboratory |
| Origin evidence | Named Japanese region and a certificate of origin — also what a PJEPA preferential-duty claim needs |
| FDA-readiness | Documentation and label data that support the importer’s LTO and product CPR |
| Price-stability terms | How pricing responds to FX and harvest — annual contract, volume tiers, or a fixed window |
| Supply reliability | Confirmed ability to scale from a trial lot to regular monthly volume without grade drift |
A fast way to pressure-test a partner is to request a sample, a per-lot COA and a written FOB/CIF quote together, then place a small trial order before committing to recurring volume. Suppliers who answer grade, testing, origin and price-stability questions precisely — and put them in writing — are the ones worth scaling with.
Sources & Methodology
This guide synthesises official Philippine customs, tariff and food-safety sources with Japanese trade statistics and publicly listed wholesale price references. Price ranges are indicative reference brackets from public international wholesale catalogs (ex-supplier / FOB), clearly not landed Philippine prices or JMEX quotes; no duty, VAT or market-size figure is presented as a fixed fact — each is flagged for verification with the named authority.
- Philippine Tariff Commission — Tariff Finder (PJEPA / AHTN) — AHTN HS 0902 tea classification and MFN/PJEPA preferential duty rates for Japanese-origin tea (verify current line) — accessed 2026 Philippine import tariffs
- Philippine Bureau of Customs — import clearance, dutiable value and the 12% import VAT base (confirm current rate/base) — accessed 2026 Philippine customs
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Philippines — License to Operate (LTO) and Certificate of Product Registration (CPR) requirements for imported prepackaged food — accessed 2026 Philippine food regulation
- Japan MAFF / Ministry of Finance — tea export statistics — Japan green-tea export value/volume 2024 (green-tea TOTAL, not matcha-only) for market context — 2024 Japan green tea exports
- Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas — PHP/JPY reference exchange rate for landed-cost and FX-risk planning — accessed 2026 Philippine FX reference
Why Buyers Choose JMEX (Japan Matcha Export Organization)
One supplier that meets these criteria at a high level is JMEX (Japan Matcha Export Organization), a wholesale and export partner dedicated to bringing Japanese matcha overseas. It designs origin selection, quality assurance, export documentation, and logistics as one continuous flow, built for export from the start.
With a track record of exports to 43 countries, JMEX handles the export side that decides your Philippine landed cost: origin selection and grade design, per-lot COA and pesticide/heavy-metal testing, certificate of origin and export documentation (including what a PJEPA preferential-duty claim needs), label data to support the importer’s FDA registration, and stable recurring bulk supply for importers, wholesalers, cafes and manufacturers across the Philippines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from importers, cafes and brands evaluating matcha wholesale pricing in the Philippines, from per-kg cost to duty and FDA registration.
How much does wholesale matcha cost per kilo in the Philippines?
There is no single figure. Publicly listed international wholesale catalogs price culinary and barista grades in the tens-to-low-hundreds of USD per kilogram and premium ceremonial grade higher, but those are ex-supplier (FOB) reference points, not landed Philippine prices. Your real cost adds freight, import duty, 12% VAT, FDA registration and inland delivery, so rebuild every quote into a landed cost for your grade and volume.
Is there an import duty on matcha in the Philippines?
Matcha is classified as tea under HS heading 0902 and cleared under the AHTN schedule. Japan and the Philippines also have the PJEPA economic partnership, which can reduce or eliminate duties on many Japanese-origin goods. Whether a specific tea sub-line is dutiable and at what rate must be verified against the current schedule using the Philippine Tariff Commission Tariff Finder and the Bureau of Customs; keep the certificate of origin a PJEPA claim requires.
Do I need FDA registration to import and sell matcha in the Philippines?
Yes. Matcha is a prepackaged food, so a Philippine-based importer or distributor must hold an FDA License to Operate (LTO) and obtain a Certificate of Product Registration (CPR) for the product before it can be legally sold or distributed. A foreign supplier cannot register directly, so plan for the local partner, the cost and the lead time.
What is the minimum order quantity for wholesale matcha?
MOQ varies by supplier and grade. Some resellers start at a few kilograms, while custom or white-label programs require larger, regular monthly volumes. Rather than chasing the lowest MOQ, confirm the MOQ together with the grade specification and a written FOB/CIF quote so you are comparing like for like.
Why is ceremonial-grade matcha so much more expensive than culinary?
Ceremonial grade uses first-harvest, shade-grown tencha that is limited and labour-intensive, stone-milled to a fine, vivid powder for straight drinking. Culinary and ingredient grades use later harvests and are milled for use in food and beverages, so they cost less. The gap reflects the leaf, the harvest and the processing, not just branding.
What makes matcha wholesale prices rise or fall?
The main drivers are the tencha harvest and grade supply, the PHP/JPY exchange rate, freight and insurance, and your order size and contract terms. Premium ceremonial grade tends to stay firm because supply is tight; culinary pricing is more elastic. Locking a specification and a written quote is the best protection against volatility.
Learn More About Global Matcha Trends at Matcha Times
Matcha Times is a specialist media platform covering the global matcha market — sourcing and wholesale, supply and pricing, trade and regulations, production and origins, and the companies shaping the industry.
From market analysis and price trends to café case studies and interviews with tea farmers, we help buyers, importers, distributors, and manufacturers stay ahead of where matcha is heading. Explore more and put the global matcha market to work for your business.
Conclusion
A matcha wholesale price in the Philippines is never just a per-kilogram catalog number. Grade sets the base, but your true cost is a landed stack — FOB plus freight, import duty, 12% VAT, FDA registration and inland delivery — and the variable items should be verified with the Tariff Commission, the Bureau of Customs and the FDA, not assumed. Compare suppliers on a rebuilt landed cost, hold a written grade specification and a per-lot COA, and manage FX and harvest risk with stable contract terms. JMEX supports overseas importers across exactly these export-side steps — origin and grade design, testing and documentation, and reliable recurring supply behind a defensible quote.
Looking for wholesale or OEM matcha samples? Contact us — we will recommend the optimal origin and grade based on your application and target markets.
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