Ahmad Tea Honored with King’s Award for Sustainable Development

Ahmad Tea, a British family-owned company based in Chandler’s Ford, Hampshire, has received the King’s Award in Sustainable Development. This recognition, bestowed for its global efforts in improving lives, places Ahmad Tea among 29 organizations nationwide honored in 2024. The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward, presented the award to the company, which distributes its teas to 65 countries worldwide. Zahra Afshar, Ahmad Tea’s head of sustainability, commented on the recognition, stating: “Making a positive impact is at the heart of what we do, so being recognised like this feels amazing.” During his visit to Ahmad Tea’s headquarters, Prince Edward received a box of Royal Ceylon tea, a blend created specifically for the King. The Duke of Edinburgh was accompanied by the Countess Mountbatten of Burma and the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire during this occasion. The award acknowledged the family-owned company’s commitment to sustainability projects, philanthropic initiatives, and ethical practices. The company allocates up to 20% of its profits to various local and global causes, including contributions to the Guide Dogs, funding for a cancer hospital in Sri Lanka, and health programs for women in tea-growing areas of Assam and Kenya. Furthermore, Ahmad Tea is a member of the Ethical Tea Partnership and has collaborated with Oxfam to supply clean water to rural communities in Niger. Ms Afshar further stated: “We work hard to make a difference in every community where we source, pack and sell our tea, and we’re so grateful to everyone in our supply chain for their support.” She added: “This award is really for our team and our partners who work tirelessly to make our projects happen. None of this would be possible without their passion and commitment to making a real difference.”