Zealong sheds tea farm to avoid feud with neighbors
New Zealand's oolong tea manufacturer Zealong Tea recently sold its original tea farm in order to distance itself from a feud with the neighbors. The complaints stem from Zealong's one-time use of a helicopter to combat frost damage during harvest. Since the company did not get a green light from local authorities to use the helicopter again this year, it decided to get rid of the property rather than put future harvests at risk. The residential-zoned plantation, established 8 years ago, produces 4 tons of leaves per year, worth $2 million. Zealong will now concentrate on developing its big tea farm and tourist attraction at a nearby rural town of Gordonton. A local residential property developer purchased the 11-hectare land.