Vietnam tea exports to US gain value as prices rise
VOV.VN - Vietnam’s tea exports to the United States rose 22% in volume and 36.4% in value in the first eight months of the year, as higher prices boosted export revenues despite a decline in overall shipments, according to data from Vietnam Customs.
Vietnam earned US$7.64 million from tea exports to the US during the period, with the average price rising nearly 12% year on year to about US$1,649 per tonne.
Overall, Vietnam exported 77,256 tonnes of tea worth US$143.5 million between Jan. – Aug. 2026, down 9.8% in volume but just 1.5% in value from the same period last year.
The average export price rose to US$2,088 per tonne in August, up nearly 18% from a year earlier. The eight-month average stood at about US$1,778 per tonne, an increase of 4.5%.
The figures point to diverging trends across Vietnam’s tea export markets, with weaker demand in some destinations offset by higher purchases and prices in others.
The US market has seen particularly strong price growth. International Trade Centre data showed the average price of Vietnamese green tea exported to the US reached US$3,016 per tonne in the first seven months, up 31.2% year on year. Black tea prices rose 13.4% to US$1,737 per tonne.
The Import-Export Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade attributed the rise in export prices to shifting global demand towards higher-quality products, processed green tea and varieties carrying ecological or organic certifications. Higher-value products such as oolong and scented teas are also gaining ground, replacing exports dominated by raw tea.
The trend extends beyond the US. The past eight months saw Russia increase its imports of Vietnamese tea by 23% in volume and 15% in value. Saudi Arabia's imports increased 27% in volume, with August alone recording a 3.4-fold increase in volume and more than sixfold growth in value.
By contrast, Vietnamese tea exports to Pakistan and some North African markets fell sharply as demand weakened. Adverse weather also affected production and quality, while Pakistan faced additional financial difficulties and new Halal requirements.
The Import-Export Department expects global tea demand to strengthen in the fourth quarter as the festive and New Year season approaches in Asia, the Middle East and North America. Export prices are expected to remain relatively high, with deeper-processed tea, speciality products and branded tea likely to make a growing contribution to Vietnam's export value.
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VOV.VN - Vietnam ranks among the top five countries in tea export volume, with various types of tea - black, green, and scented- consumed in consumed in more than 70 countries across multiple continents.
