Tea exports to China, India rise sharply

The opening five months of 2021 saw Vietnam’s tea exports to China and India rise considerably, recording increases of 87.7% and 457.5% year on year respectively, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT).

Processing black tea for export in Yen Bai, northern Vietnam.

Data from the MoIT show China imported 4,550 tonnes of Vietnamese tea valued at US$6.76 million during the reviewed period, up 104.8% in volume and 87.7% in value year on year.

Meanwhile, India purchased 1,400 tonnes of tea from Vietnam for US$1.74 million, up 560.5% in volume and 457.5% in value.

Experts said the recent resurgence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and prolonged drought seriously affected the tea industry of India, a global tea exporter, forcing it to import large volumes from other countries, including Vietnam,for re-export.

The MoIT data also indicate that Vietnam shipped 58,000 tonnes of tea abroad worth US$95 million in the first half of 2021, up 0.1% in volume and 5% in value compared to the same period in 2020.

The average export price of tea rose 4.8% to US$1,643 per tonne in the first half of 2021.

Vietnam’s tea exports are anticipated to enjoy good prospects in the second half as the global economy is recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, stimulating the demand for tea.

In addition, local businesses are greatly benefitting from preferential tariffs following the implementation of free trade agreements such as one between Vietnam and the European Union (EVFTA), and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).