The nation exported 10,000 tonnes of tea worth US$16 million in January, representing a surge of 25.8% in volume and 30.5% in value in comparison to the same period from last year, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade. 

Most notably, the average export price in January soared by 3.7% to US$1,600 per tonne against last year’s corresponding period. This sharp increase in the export price can be largely attributed to disruption in export activities during the course of the traditional Lunar New Year, known locally as Tet.

Last year saw black and green tea exports make up the highest proportion, with turnover for black tea reaching US$76.19 million, a decline of 0.6% in volume and 2.3% in value compared to 2019.

Furthermore, the average export price of black tea also decreased by 6.2% to US$1,613 per tonne compared to 2019’s figures, with major export markets including Russia, Indonesia, Taiwan (China), and Pakistan, while the price of green tea also fell by 10.7% to US$1,805 per tonne, with the main export market being Pakistan. Elsewhere, tea marinated with flowers and  olong tea exports make up only a low proportion of the total.

According to the United States International Trade Commission, the US imported tea from three main markets last year, including Argentina, India, and China. In addition, US tea imports last year reached 107,360 tonnes worth US$460.49 million, a drop of 10.5% in volume and 3.4% in value compared to 2019.

Moreover, the country became the fifth largest tea supplier to the US market, with the export volume accounting for only 4.7%, a rise of 0.2% compared to 2019, with the tea import volume of the US and the value from Vietnam also experiencing a downward trajectory.