By AKI MATCHA | February 2026
Buying matcha powder bulk is a different experience from ordering a single retail tin. The quantities are larger, the pricing structures are different, and the logistics matter much more. For café owners, restaurant operators, and brand founders who are ready to scale their matcha offerings, understanding the bulk buying process is essential to building a reliable supply chain.
Whether you are launching a matcha menu for the first time or looking to optimize your existing sourcing, the decisions you make at the bulk buying stage directly affect your product quality, your profit margins, and your ability to serve customers consistently.
The matcha wholesale market has grown significantly over the past five years, and with first- harvest matcha selling out faster each season, planning your bulk purchases has never been more important. This guide covers everything you need to know, from pricing and minimum orders to storage, shipping, and calculating your true cost per cup.
Understanding Bulk Matcha Pricing
One of the first things business owners notice when they move from retail to bulk matcha is the price difference. A 100g tin of ceremonial-grade matcha might cost between 30 and 50 dollars at retail. But when you buy that same quality in a 1kg bulk bag, the per-gram cost drops significantly.
Bulk pricing works on volume tiers. Most matcha suppliers offer better rates as your order quantity increases. A single 1kg bag will cost less per gram than a 100g pouch, and ordering 5kg or 10kg at a time will bring the price down further. Some suppliers also offer standing order arrangements for businesses that restock on a predictable schedule.
It is important to understand that not all bulk matcha at the same price point is equal. Two suppliers might both offer 1kg bags at similar prices, but the quality inside can be vastly different depending on origin, harvest season, and processing method. Always compare quality alongside price, not price alone. The cheapest option often costs more in the long run through lost customers and wasted product.
People sometimes wonder why matcha is more expensive than regular green tea. The answer lies in the production process. Authentic Japanese matcha requires extended shade-growing, careful hand-picking, and slow stone-milling that produces an ultra-fine powder. This process is what makes high-quality matcha worth the investment at any volume.
Minimum Order Quantities and How They Work
Every matcha supplier has different minimum order requirements. Some require 5kg or 10kg for your first order, while others allow you to start smaller so you can test before committing.
When evaluating minimums, consider your monthly usage. A busy café serving 50 matcha drinks per day will go through roughly 6kg of matcha per month, depending on the recipe and serving size. A smaller shop might use 2kg to 3kg per month. Choose a supplier whose minimum order quantity aligns with your consumption rate so you are not sitting on excess inventory that loses freshness.
It is also worth asking whether your supplier offers flexible reorder options. Some businesses prefer to place a larger initial order to lock in better pricing, then restock with smaller follow-up orders as needed. Others prefer a consistent monthly schedule. The best suppliers will work with you to find an arrangement that fits your cash flow and usage patterns.
AKI MATCHA offers flexible ordering options, including a sample pack for businesses that want to test our matcha before placing a bulk order. This allows you to evaluate the quality, flavor, and color in your actual recipes before making a larger commitment. If you want to understand why purchasing matcha in bulk makes sense for your business, we have written about this in detail.
Shelf Life and Storage Best Practices
Matcha is a fresh product. Freshness is everything. Its quality degrades over time when exposed to light, heat, moisture, or air. Understanding proper storage is critical when you are buying matcha in bulk, because you need your matcha to maintain its quality throughout its shelf life.
When stored in a sealed, airtight container in a cool, dark environment, unopened matcha stays fresh for up to 18 months from milling. Once opened, we recommend consuming it within one to two months for optimal flavor and color.
For bulk storage, keep your unopened bags in a refrigerator or a cool, dry storage area away from direct sunlight. Avoid storing matcha near strong-smelling ingredients, as it can absorb odors. When using matcha in a café setting, keep a small working container at your bar station and refill it from your bulk supply as needed, keeping the main bag sealed. For a deeper dive into storage, see our guide on rules for storing matcha tea powder.
One common mistake new bulk buyers make is opening an entire 1kg bag and leaving it exposed at the bar. Even in a busy café, a full kilogram can take several weeks to use. During that time, the matcha is constantly exposed to air and light every time the bag is opened. A better approach is to portion your bulk supply into smaller airtight containers and only open what you need for the current day or week.
Retail Packaging vs. Bulk Packaging — Know the Difference
Retail tins and pouches, typically 30g to 100g, are designed for end consumers with branded packaging and a higher per-gram price. Bulk matcha, available in 500g to 1kg bags or larger, is designed for businesses. The packaging is functional, focused on preserving freshness. For cafés, bulk packaging dramatically reduces ingredient cost.
If you are a brand looking to resell matcha under your own label, the distinction between retail and bulk packaging also affects your product development process. Many brands start by purchasing bulk matcha from a trusted supplier, then repackage it into their own branded tins or pouches for retail sale. This approach gives you control over your brand identity while relying on an established producer for consistent quality.
AKI MATCHA’s 1kg bulk bag contains approximately 500 servings of matcha, making it one of the most cost-effective options for high-volume operations. If you are a brand looking to resell matcha under your own label, we also support private-label discussions through our wholesale inquiry page.
Shipping Logistics and US Fulfillment
Shipping matters more than many buyers realize. Matcha is sensitive to heat, and prolonged exposure to warm conditions during transit can affect quality. When choosing a bulk matcha supplier, ask about their shipping methods, transit times, and whether they use temperature-controlled packaging for warm-weather shipments.
AKI MATCHA recently expanded our operations with fulfillment centers across the United States, including locations in New Jersey, Philadelphia, and Tampa, Florida. This means domestic orders now ship faster than ever, with significantly reduced transit times compared to shipping directly from Japan. For international customers, we continue to ship worldwide from our headquarters in Shizuoka.
Having US-based fulfillment also reduces the risk of heat exposure during transit, since packages spend less time in shipping containers and delivery trucks. This is particularly important during summer months, when matcha shipped from overseas can spend days in warm conditions that degrade quality before it even reaches your door.
Due to rising global matcha demand, wholesale lead times in 2026 can range from two to four weeks. Planning your restock schedule in advance helps you avoid running out during peak periods.
Seasonal demand patterns also affect availability. Many cafés see a spike in matcha orders during spring and summer months, when iced matcha lattes become a top seller. If you wait until demand peaks to place your bulk order, you may face longer lead times or limited stock. The smartest approach is to place your bulk orders one to two months ahead of your peak season so your supply is already secured when demand increases.
Calculating Your Cost Per Cup — The Numbers That Matter
One of the most practical exercises before buying matcha in bulk is calculating your cost per cup. This directly informs your menu pricing and profit margins.
A standard matcha latte uses approximately 2 grams of matcha powder. A 1kg bag contains 1,000 grams, which gives you roughly 500 servings. If your 1kg bag costs 250 dollars, your matcha ingredient cost per cup is approximately 50 cents. Add in your milk, sweetener, and cup cost, and you can build a clear picture of your total cost of goods and set a profitable menu price.
For comparison, many cafés sell matcha lattes for 5 to 7 dollars. This means the matcha ingredient cost represents only 8 to 10 percent of the sale price. This is an excellent margin, especially when you are using authentic Japanese matcha that commands a premium perception from customers. Cafés that build their menu around quality matcha have seen remarkable growth — some going from 10 cups to 500 cups a day.
It is also worth considering the cost comparison with coffee. A specialty coffee drink uses espresso shots that require expensive machines, regular maintenance, and trained baristas. Matcha preparation is simpler and faster, which means less equipment cost and faster service times during rush hours. When you factor in these operational savings alongside the strong per-cup margin, matcha becomes one of the most profitable items on a café menu.
For businesses exploring how matcha compares to coffee from both a health and business perspective, our article on why matcha gives better energy than coffee covers the customer demand side of this equation.
Choosing the Right Grade for Bulk Orders
Not all bulk matcha green tea is the same. Matching the right grade to the right application is one of the smartest things a bulk buyer can do. Ordering the wrong grade wastes money, either by overspending on premium matcha for applications that do not need it, or by using low-quality matcha in drinks where customers expect the best.
Ceremonial-grade matcha is made from first-harvest leaves and delivers the smoothest flavor. Use it for straight matcha drinks and premium lattes where the matcha taste needs to shine on its own. Because the ceremonial grade matcha is produced from the youngest, most tender leaves with extended shading, it has the highest concentration of L-theanine and the most vibrant green color. This is the grade your customers will notice and remember.
Culinary grade works for baking, smoothies, and blended drinks where matcha is combined with other strong flavors. It has a more robust, slightly bitter profile that holds up well when mixed with chocolate, fruit, or dairy. And barista grade sits in between, specifically formulated for milk-based beverages. To explore these differences further, read our article on ceremonial grade vs culinary grade matcha.
Choosing the best-tasting matcha powder depends on how it will be used. Bulk buyers should always test samples and understand specifications before committing to a large order.
Take the First Step
Whether you are opening a new café, expanding your menu, or launching a matcha-based product line, buying matcha in bulk is the foundation of a scalable operation. Start by understanding your volume needs, test with samples, and build a relationship with a supplier who delivers consistent quality.
The bulk buying process does not need to be complicated. It comes down to a few key steps: know your monthly volume, choose the right grade for each application, understand proper storage, and work with a supplier who treats you as a partner rather than just a transaction. When these pieces are in place, your matcha program runs smoothly and profitably.
AKI MATCHA supplies Japanese matcha powder wholesale and retail, serving customers across the USA and worldwide. We have been doing this for over 90 years from Shizuoka, Japan. If you are ready to buy matcha in bulk with confidence, we are here to support your journey.
We work with businesses at every stage, from first-time café owners exploring matcha for the first time to established brands scaling their matcha product lines. Whatever your volume or budget, we will help you find the right products, the right grades, and the right order cadence for your operation.
Browse our bulk matcha collection or submit a wholesale inquiry to get started today.
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