Tea exports expected to reach US$245 million
In the first seven months of this year, tea exports have declined both in volume and value compared to the same period last year.
However, the Vietnam Tea Association (VITAS) forecasted that the sector could earn US$245 million from exports this year.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development’s preliminary statistics, in the review period, the country exported about 70,000 tonnes of tea with total value of about US$116 million, a drop of 6.7% in volume and 1.1% in value compared to the same period last year.
VITAS Chief Secretariat Hoang Vinh Long said green tea and OTD black tea remained major tea exports with a volume of about 26,000 tonnes each type. OTD black tea, and green tea were sold at US$1,387 and US$1,802 per tonne respectively. Chinese-Taipei, China and Pakistan ranked top in export markets of Vietnam.
Tea exports to Pakistan continued to thrive with an increase of 56.4% in volume and 89.2% in value in 7 months while its figures to Indonesia reduced by 56.6% in volume and 54.56% in value compared to the same period last year.
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Long explained that in the early months of this year, the weather remained complicated with prolonged drought and rain in some tea plantation areas. However, tea prices remained stable. Ha Tinh Tea Company’s products were sold at the highest prices among Vietnamese exporters, added Long.
However, tea exports are experiencing some difficulties when export markets of Vietnam have strictly required safety standards and certificate of origin.
To be able to meet its export target, the tea sector needs to focus on renewing trade promotion activities. Moreover, tea businesses must diversify products, improve product quality and reorganise production towards industry value chain.
During April and May 2014, VITAS delegation took part in the International Tea Expo in Dubai to seek market expansion and promote exports to potential markets such as the UAE, Africa, the Middle East and South Asia.