The matcha market is facing unprecedented challenges as unusually hot weather in Japan strains tea production, leading to significant shortages and soaring prices. Japan, renowned for its high-quality matcha, is experiencing extreme heat waves that have drastically reduced crop yields and negatively impacted the delicate leaves essential for ceremonial-grade matcha. This weather-induced scarcity is compounded by aging farms and a growing global demand for matcha, exacerbating an already precarious supply situation.