Bogor-based tea brand Sila Artisan Tea sets its sights on the global market while empowering smallholder farmers and championing Indonesian tea culture

Sila Artisan Tea, a local micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) from Bogor, is taking bold strides to strengthen the presence of Indonesian tea both at home and abroad. Operating under PT Sila Agri Inovasi—established by co-founders Redha Taufik Ardias and Iriana Ekasari in 2018—the brand is driven by a mission to elevate Indonesian tea as a culturally rich and globally competitive product.

With critical support from PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk (BRI), Sila has participated in various mentorship and promotional programmes, enabling it to penetrate premium domestic markets and export to countries including Singapore, Malaysia, Austria, Japan, the United States, and Canada. Its tea blends, crafted from 100% high-quality Indonesian leaves, are certified halal and meet Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) standards.

“Too often we see foreign tea brands dominating menus in high-end hotels and trendy cafes,” said Redha. “We want to present local tea in a way that is modern, relevant, and sustainable.” Sila’s commitment to quality has seen its products adopted by major hospitality venues across Indonesian cities, and its brand visibility is growing steadily through e-commerce and international exhibitions.

Beyond business expansion, Sila Artisan Tea has made community empowerment a core priority. The company partners with smallholder farmers in Yogyakarta, Batang, Cianjur, and Sukabumi—raising their product value through training and better processing techniques. Redha noted that some tea previously sold at IDR 15,000 per kilogram now fetches up to IDR 1 million after quality improvements. With around eight lead farmers and dozens of tea pickers under their wing, Sila’s supply chain supports hundreds of livelihoods.

In 2025, the brand gained further recognition by winning The Best Expo award at the BRI UMKM EXPO(RT), before showcasing at the prestigious FHA Food & Beverage Exhibition in Singapore. Redha shared that the experience not only opened new commercial opportunities but also provided invaluable market insights. BRI’s continued support in financing and brand development has helped reinforce Sila’s position as a pioneer in Indonesia’s artisan tea movement.

Source: Antaranews